Space propulsion without mass ejecting

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of propulsion in space using a system involving a slinky inside a box, where longitudinal waves are generated and absorbed. Participants explore whether this mechanism could lead to propulsion without ejecting mass, referencing Newton's third law as a potential obstacle.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a scenario where a box in outer space contains a slinky, and questions whether generating and absorbing longitudinal waves can propel the box.
  • Another participant reiterates the same scenario, emphasizing that the box moves to the right when a pulse is given at point A and stops when absorbed at point B, suggesting a potential propulsion mechanism.
  • Concerns are raised regarding Newton's third law, indicating that this principle may pose a problem for the proposed propulsion method.
  • A note is made that discussions about reactionless drives, including the EMDrive, are considered forbidden topics, leading to the closure of the thread.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty about the feasibility of the proposed propulsion method, and there is no consensus on whether it could work without violating established physical laws.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the implications of Newton's third law on the proposed system, and the limitations of the concept remain unclear, particularly regarding the mechanics of wave propagation and absorption in this context.

leafy
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TL;DR
We have a box sit in outer space. Inside a box is a slinky connect at two points A and B. Pulses of longitudinal wave is given at A and absorbed at B. Can this system propelled through space?
When the pulse is given at A, the box move to the right. When it is absorbed at B, the box stop.
 
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leafy said:
Summary:: We have a box sit in outer space. Inside a box is a slinky connect at two points A and B. Pulses of longitudinal wave is given at A and absorbed at B. Can this system propelled through space?

When the pulse is given at A, the box move to the right. When it is absorbed at B, the box stop.
Newton's third law is the problem here.
 
leafy said:
Summary:: We have a box sit in outer space. Inside a box is a slinky connect at two points A and B. Pulses of longitudinal wave is given at A and absorbed at B. Can this system propelled through space?

When the pulse is given at A, the box move to the right. When it is absorbed at B, the box stop.

Reactionless Drives are on the list of Forbidden Topics. Thread is closed.
Forbidden Topics said:
EMDrive and other reactionless drives
See https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/nasas-em-drive.884753/
 
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