Physics behind a fan based flying car concept

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the physics required to design a flying car utilizing four fans, each with a radius of 50 cm, to generate lift. The total weight of the car and passengers is 1000 kg, and the air density is given as 1.2 kg/m³. To achieve lift, the downward velocity of the air must be calculated based on the principles of pressure differences and conservation of momentum. The solution involves determining the necessary airspeed to create sufficient lift to counteract the weight of the vehicle.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluid dynamics, particularly Bernoulli's principle
  • Knowledge of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with basic physics concepts such as pressure and density
  • Ability to apply conservation of momentum in practical scenarios
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the required airspeed for lift using the equation for thrust and weight balance
  • Explore the effects of fan design on airflow and lift generation
  • Research the principles of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft
  • Investigate the implications of air density variations on flying car performance
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, physics students, and innovators interested in aerospace design and the mechanics of flight, particularly those focused on developing flying vehicles.

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Homework Statement



For decades, people have dreamed of cars that can fly. You are part of a team which hopes
to build the worldʼs first commercial flying car.
Your proposed design has four fans, each of radius 50cm. Each fan sucks in air from above
the car and blows it downwards. The downward flow of air can be approximated as a column
of radius equal to that of the fan, traveling at a uniform speed downwards.

How fast must the air be blown downwards if the car plus passengers weigh 1000 kg?
You may assume that the density of air is 1.2 kg m-3.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I have considered pressure differences, and conservation of angular momentum, but I can't seem to apply them in any way that helps me solve for the required unknown.
 
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Perhaps if you thought of the car as a rocket.
 

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