How Does Wind Energy Propel a Sailboat?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lavas
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Physics
AI Thread Summary
Wind energy propels a sailboat by transferring force from the wind to the sail, which then pushes against the air, creating movement. When sailing parallel to the wind, the wind exerts pressure on the sail, causing the boat to move in the wind's direction. The design of the sail creates irregular air pockets that enhance propulsion. Without sails, a boat would simply drift with the water, but the sails trap air and generate resistance, allowing the wind to push the boat forward. It is important to note that sailing directly against the wind is not physically feasible.
Lavas
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
I've wondered how you would explain how a sailboat moves in a way explained by physics. How the energy from the wind is transferred from the sail to the centerboard or the hull itself.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Complete analysis of sailboat physics given here:
http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs037.snc1/3308_1202579661678_1144170970_31273539_3056389_n.jpg

:)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
If you are sailing parallel with the wind, the wind pushes against the sail and the sail pushes back on the wind, and the wind "wins". Therefore the boat moves in the direction of the wind. Plus, irregular air pockets are made like 'imprints' in the sail so that air pockets help to propel the boat. If the boat didn't have sails, it would be carried by the water, but since the sail traps the air and serves as a resistance to it, the air pushes the boat. A sailboat sailing directly against the wind is physically impossible.
 
Hello! Let's say I have a cavity resonant at 10 GHz with a Q factor of 1000. Given the Lorentzian shape of the cavity, I can also drive the cavity at, say 100 MHz. Of course the response will be very very weak, but non-zero given that the Loretzian shape never really reaches zero. I am trying to understand how are the magnetic and electric field distributions of the field at 100 MHz relative to the ones at 10 GHz? In particular, if inside the cavity I have some structure, such as 2 plates...
Back
Top