Creating a Temporary Vacuum: Is it Possible?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of creating a temporary vacuum by removing air from around an object, particularly in the context of whether the air would rush back in quickly enough to negate the vacuum effect. The scope includes conceptual reasoning and technical explanations related to fluid dynamics and sound propagation.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether removing all air around an object would create a temporary vacuum or if the air would replace it too quickly to matter.
  • Another participant suggests that if the object is not enclosed, air would rush back in immediately.
  • There is a claim that air cannot enter faster than the speed of sound, which is linked to a phenomenon observed in thunder.
  • A participant seeks clarification on the logic behind the speed of sound limitation and proposes that a supercavitation-like effect could occur with a vacuum.
  • Another participant introduces the idea that the object's acceleration could influence airflow dynamics, prompting further inquiry into this relationship.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the speed at which air can replace a vacuum and the implications of the object's acceleration, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are assumptions regarding the conditions under which the vacuum is created, such as whether the object is enclosed and the effects of acceleration on airflow, which have not been fully explored or defined.

dizam
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If you were to destroy all the air around an object, would that give you a temporary vacuum or would the air be replaced so quickly that it wouldn't make a difference?
 
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Is the object inside an enclosure? If not, air would come in immediately.
 
Well it couldn't come in faster than the speed of sound.

Something pretty similair happens to make thunder
 
mathman said:
Is the object inside an enclosure? If not, air would come in immediately.

No, the object is not inside an enclosure. I was thinking of any type of sealed object traveling through the sky.
 
mgb_phys said:
Well it couldn't come in faster than the speed of sound.
Are you certain that this is true? Could you explain the logic please? So then a supercavitation type of phenomenon would be possible but with a vacuum.
mgb_phys said:
Something pretty similair happens to make thunder
Would you mind elaborating please. Thanks
 
Last edited:
Also, let's say that the object has acceleration. I know this would affect the airflow but how?
 

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