Centrifugal force in space Motor with axle and wheight

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the behavior of a motor with an axle and a mass in a space environment, particularly focusing on centrifugal and centripetal forces. Participants explore the implications of spinning systems in microgravity, the effects of mass distribution, and the potential for experimental validation of related theories.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a motor with a mass on an axle will cause the motor to follow the mass in a circular path or simply wobble, expressing uncertainty about the dynamics involved.
  • Another participant references the Hubble Space Telescope's use of reaction wheels to illustrate how spinning a wheel can cause a spacecraft to rotate in the opposite direction, suggesting a practical application of the concept.
  • A participant mentions that astronauts moving within a spacecraft can affect its balance, although the impact is minimal due to their relatively low mass compared to the spacecraft.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of understanding the center of mass in a spinning system, explaining that two connected masses will rotate around their center of mass, which depends on their respective masses and distances apart.
  • Another participant clarifies that the discussion does not pertain to centrifugal force, but rather to the mechanics of rotation and conservation of momentum, cautioning against ideas that may violate physical laws.
  • One participant expresses a desire to validate their experimental theory related to Nikola Tesla's concepts, indicating a long-term personal project.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the mechanics of spinning systems in space, with some clarifying concepts while others explore speculative ideas. There is no consensus on the implications of the motor and mass setup, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the outcomes of such experiments.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the need for a deeper understanding of fundamental concepts such as the center of mass and conservation of momentum, indicating that assumptions about the system's behavior may vary based on these principles.

ZelfZA
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HI.

I've read a lot of posts on centrifugal and centripetal force in space. But they mostly refer to the spinning space stations.

I would like to know what happens when you take a motor with an axle and a mass on the end on of the axle, and you start the motor up.. I understand the whole law of "every action has a opposite equal reaction".
But does this mean the motor will follow the mass in a small circle or will the whole thing just "hang" there wobbling about?

Does anyone know if it has been tested in space?

To add to my question...

If a person in a "spinning" spaceship touches the side and gets "caught" in the "gravity".. Does it make the ship off balance?

I hope you get my question - understand it I mean.. It's bugging me.
 
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Welcome to PF!

The Hubble Space Telescope uses exactly that concept to aim it. The motor spins the wheel one way and that makes the Hubble spin the other way:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reaction_wheel

And yes, astronauts moving around in a spacecraft will affect its attitude. Fortunately, the astronauts are a lot lighter than the spacecraft so the effect is small.
 
Thanks for the speedy reply and the link to the Reaction wheel.

I assume the speed of the wheel and the mass of it will be determined by the mass of the ship.

All of this is relevant to my experiment of the last 4 years.
A theory similar to that of Nikola Tesla's Flying machine.
But I would Like to see my Experiment Succeed or Fail..
Before I make any claims.
 
I think you need to go back and understand something simpler.

Two masses, m1 and m2, are connected via a rigid rod with negligible mass. So you then set it to spin in your "space", i.e. no friction, no gravity.

They will both spin about the center of mass of the system! The location of the center of mass depends on the mass m1 and m2, and how far apart they are. If m1=m2, then the COM will be right in the middle of the two. For the Earth-Moon system, it is close to the center of the Earth since m_Earth>>m_Moon.

You need to look at your "motor-axel-mass" with this level of understanding.

Zz.
 
ZelfZA said:
Thanks for the speedy reply and the link to the Reaction wheel.
You're welcome!
I assume the speed of the wheel and the mass of it will be determined by the mass of the ship.
Correct.

Also worth noting that despite your title this doesn't have anything to do with centrifugal force.
All of this is relevant to my experiment of the last 4 years.
A theory similar to that of Nikola Tesla's Flying machine.
But I would Like to see my Experiment Succeed or Fail..
Before I make any claims.
Uh oh. That can't lead anywhere good. Note that:
1. What we are discussing can only cause rotation, not translation.
2. Internal action causing translation would violate conservation of momentum.
3. We don't deal in things that violate the laws of physics here.
 

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