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Sariaht
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Plates spinning when they move down and are still when they move up; the plates would have higher mass when moving down then moving up. Should work.
Relativistic Mass Propulsion or the RMP
- Context: Undergrad
- Thread starter Sariaht
- Start date
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the concept of relativistic mass propulsion (RMP) and the mechanics of using spinning plates for propulsion. Participants explore the implications of mass changes during motion, energy transfer during braking, and alternative propulsion methods such as neutrino and neutron propulsion.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- Some participants propose that spinning plates would have higher mass when moving down compared to moving up, suggesting this could be utilized for propulsion.
- Questions arise regarding the mechanisms for spinning up and stopping the plates, with one participant stating they would be spun by an engine and stopped by a brake.
- One participant argues that applying the brake to the spinning disk would result in heating, which increases the disk's energy and momentum, potentially negating upward movement unless energy is radiated away.
- Another participant challenges the effectiveness of the proposed braking method, suggesting that it would lead to no net upward movement and proposes that directly generating photons would be more efficient.
- Some participants express skepticism about the feasibility of neutrino propulsion, citing the weak interaction of neutrinos with matter as a significant limitation.
- A later reply corrects a mention of neutrino propulsion to neutron propulsion, indicating a potential confusion in terminology.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express multiple competing views regarding the effectiveness of the proposed propulsion methods and the implications of energy transfer during braking. The discussion remains unresolved with no consensus on the viability of the concepts presented.
Contextual Notes
Participants have not fully explored the assumptions underlying their arguments, particularly regarding the interactions of particles like neutrinos and neutrons, and the implications of energy transfer in the proposed propulsion system.