Can People Fly? Investigating Human Flight Possibilities

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the possibility of human flight, examining whether it can be achieved without mechanical assistance. Participants consider the physics involved, energy requirements, and biological limitations, while also referencing historical attempts at human-powered flight.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the feasibility of human flight, noting the energy required for a 70 kg person to achieve lift and asking for studies on the topic.
  • Another participant references existing human-powered flight projects, suggesting that while it has been done, it often involves mechanical aids like bicycles.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the possibility of flying using only arms and legs, citing biological limitations and the need for significant lift.
  • A participant mentions that historical attempts at human flight have succeeded in vertical flight but not in achieving horizontal flight.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the geometry of the human body and its inability to function effectively as a wing, despite having similar muscle types to birds.
  • There are suggestions for alternative research topics, such as measuring drag on bodies or explaining the reasons humans cannot fly without mechanical aid.
  • Some participants humorously suggest that attempts to fly without mechanical assistance would be entertaining to witness.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions, with some agreeing that human flight without mechanical aid is unlikely, while others remain curious about the potential for research in this area. No consensus is reached on the viability of human flight using only biological means.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights various assumptions about energy output, biological capabilities, and the historical context of human flight attempts. Limitations in understanding the physics and biology involved are acknowledged but not resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying physics, biology, engineering, or anyone curious about the historical and theoretical aspects of human flight.

  • #61
When you say "N" and "J" are they truly sybols or are they units? Like "Requires 500 N" and "The amount of energy requried is one million 'J' "

Or...For a 7th grader, it's kind of hard to do this topic justice. Maybe a study on the feasibility of past designs? There have been plenty of flying-man designs. I'm almost positive all non-gliders have failed, but I'm sure they had some good components to them. Study what worked and what didn't.

I.e. This one had a large wingspan but it was too heavy
This one had the right mechanisms but it was too hard for a person to operate

That kind of stuff.
 
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  • #62
Thank you for the responses!

First - I was wondering what the symbols meant just as you wrote "500 J".

Second - I wish I could convince her to change the subject. She very much wants to know about actual human flight. She gets upset when she finds something telling her it is not possbile. I am having her write down all of the reasons why it is not possible so she might find and alternative.

This is her idea. Create some kind of "mind connection" to the attachable wings. Think of the "mind flex" toys and "Doc. Oct" from Spiderman. She has researched the use of brainwaves to move objects - mind flex. The limitation is that the user has to concentrate very much so in order to "move" the object. We also discussed how nerves work.

My thought was if she followed up on this idea, perhaps she could refine it enough to be applied elsewhere - ie allowing parapalegics the ablility to walk or allowing MS patients to use other parts of the brain to overcome damaged parts. (I have MS so she liked that idea)

I degress, What do you all think of the "mind connection" to attachable wings?
 
  • #63
please excuse the spelling
 
  • #64
a "J" is a Joule. A unit of energy.
An "N" is a Newton, a unit of Force

Second. It's great to encourage out-side the box thinking. But I don't care how hard you concentrate, your mind alone isn't going to provide the energy requried to sustain powered flight...
But it is a science fair. A study of potential applications of this technology (I haven't heard of it...I don't think it is for actually "moving" things, but for providing the data for control, perhaps?) is probably a pretty good option.
 

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