How much lbf is required to lift 300lbs

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the amount of lift force (in lbf) required to lift a weight of 300 lbs, specifically in the context of hovering and stabilizing systems. Participants explore various scenarios, including the effects of weight and height above ground, as well as the implications of different designs and thrust requirements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that to hover a weight, the force required is equal to the weight itself, suggesting that 300 lbs would require a minimum of just over 300 lbf.
  • Others introduce scenarios involving different weights, such as a 400 lb object, and question whether the thrust required would still equal the weight.
  • One participant emphasizes that the shape and other characteristics of an object do not affect the force required to lift it, which remains equal to its weight.
  • There are discussions about the speed at which the object needs to travel to achieve a height of 15 inches, indicating that this speed may influence the total thrust required.
  • Some participants note that to lift an object, the thrust must exceed the weight, and that additional thrust is necessary to achieve upward acceleration.
  • One participant mentions that as fuel is consumed, the weight of the object decreases, thus requiring less thrust to maintain the same height.
  • There are references to the need for a stabilizing system for a hypothetical design, such as a "pizza chair," which adds a layer of complexity to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the relationship between weight, thrust, and height. There is no consensus on the exact requirements for lift, as different scenarios and assumptions are presented without resolution.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various assumptions about gravity and the effects of weight on thrust requirements, but these assumptions are not universally agreed upon. The discussion includes hypothetical designs and scenarios that may not be fully defined.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring concepts in aerodynamics, physics, engineering design, and those curious about the principles of lift and thrust in various contexts.

Certainty
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15inches above ground ; hovering, stabilizing system is assumed in the system.
 
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How quickly does it need to travel those 15 inches?
 
That aside, the minimum required is a hair over 300 lb.
 
to make it hover at a rate , right at 10-20inches,
 
0 lb in free fall on, say, the space station. ~50lb on the Moon. :-p
 
I see, So I have a Ball which is 6ft high 6ft in width and weights 400lbs,; you're saying it requires 300lbf to maintain a height of 15 inches above a flat surface(ground)
 
No, 400lbs if the ball weighs 400lbs (on earth). Height is not relevant.
 
I see, umm analogy 1, a chair in a form of a 75 % of sphere or circle or a pie(pizza 12 slices) with 4 slices taken out. weights 400lbs , 3 engines 1 in middle 2 on side for stabilizing 10-20 inches above a flat surface. you saying it requires 400lbs of thrust for that?
 
  • #10
The amount of force it requires is the same amount that it weighs. So the shape, size, material, color, bling or religious significance is irrelevant...if it weighs 400lbs then it will require 400lbs of force. If it weighs 47901.87lbs, then it will require 47901.87lbs of force to keep it hovering.

Do you really have a degree in Aeronautical Engineering?
 
  • #11
pantaz said:
How quickly does it need to travel those 15 inches?

You have a good designer's mind :smile:
 
  • #12
Certainty said:
I see, umm analogy 1, a chair in a form of a 75 % of sphere or circle or a pie(pizza 12 slices) with 4 slices taken out. weights 400lbs , 3 engines 1 in middle 2 on side for stabilizing 10-20 inches above a flat surface. you saying it requires 400lbs of thrust for that?

A jet engined pizza chair that weighs 400lbs? Kay.

To hover it will need 400lbs thrust. To raise it you need to overcome gravity, any thrust that exceeds the force due to gravity will keep raising it. As fuel is used it will gradually require less thrust to hold it in the same place because it weighs less.
 
  • #13
Lsos said:
The amount of force it requires is the same amount that it weighs. So the shape, size, material, color, bling or religious significance is irrelevant...if it weighs 400lbs then it will require 400lbs of force. If it weighs 47901.87lbs, then it will require 47901.87lbs of force to keep it hovering.

Do you really have a degree in Aeronautical Engineering?

I Understand it requires the same amount of thrust;weight to counter gravity But you did not read what I asked properly... I said 10-20inches above ground. I do not have a degree in Aeronautical Engineering but I will ;
 
Last edited:
  • #14
Certainty said:
I Understand it requires the same amount of thrust;weight to counter gravity But you did not read what I asked properly... I said 10-20inches above ground. I do not have a degree in Aeronautical Engineering but I will ;
Have you taken freshman physics? That is pretty much the level of understanding needed here. If the object is to be floating in place, then it is not accelerating, therefore the net force is zero -- no matter how high off the ground it is.
 
  • #15
Oh I see , it never hurts to know too much, thanks now I need to design a stabilizing system for the pizza chair
 
  • #16
Yea, if you have 400lbf of lift, you will be gravity-neutral. If you need to get it off the ground you need more than the 400lbf. How much more is determined by how fast you want to lift it. How fast you want to lift it will also affect how long you apply the extra force required, which will then determine how much of an overshoot you will see. (For example, you use 1000lbf of lift and shoot upward, you reduce the lift to 400lbf at 15in, but you will continue upward somewhat.

That being said. 401 lbf will give you net positive lift. But you sure as heck won't be breaking any speed records.
 
  • #17
Well thank you fellows :D All of you guys input was worth reading 10folds
 

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