The Controversy of the EmDrive: Legitimate or Feigned?

In summary, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the EmDrive and its claim of being a reaction-less drive. Many have pointed out that this goes against the conservation of momentum. Some have dismissed the notion and outlined issues with the physics. It is a banned topic on some forums, with discussions questioning its legitimacy and practicality.
  • #1
Kaura
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There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the EmDrive and it supposedly being a reaction-less drive
Many have pointed out that this goes against the conservation of momentum
I have seen videos of a couple people dismissing the notion and outlining the apparent issues with the physics
I am just wondering what you guys think about it
Do you think that it is legitimate or is it just able to feign being a reaction-less drive?
In addition even if it does work properly will it ever be practical?
 
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  • #2
Kaura said:
There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the EmDrive and it supposedly being a reaction-less drive
Many have pointed out that this goes against the conservation of momentum
I have seen videos of a couple people dismissing the notion and outlining the apparent issues with the physics
I am just wondering what you guys think about it
Do you think that it is legitimate or is it just able to feign being a reaction-less drive?
In addition even if it does work properly will it ever be practical?
It is on the list of banned topics here at the PF. Here is a thread discussing why:

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/emdrive-revisited.338268/
 

FAQ: The Controversy of the EmDrive: Legitimate or Feigned?

1. What is the EmDrive and why is it controversial?

The EmDrive, short for Electromagnetic Drive, is a hypothetical spacecraft propulsion system that has been claimed to produce thrust without the need for any propellant. This goes against the fundamental laws of physics, specifically the conservation of momentum. The controversy surrounding the EmDrive revolves around the lack of a clear scientific explanation for how it works and the lack of reproducible results in experiments.

2. What are the proposed mechanisms for how the EmDrive works?

There are several proposed mechanisms for how the EmDrive could potentially work, including the concept of a reactionless drive, which would violate the conservation of momentum, and the idea that it could be producing thrust through interactions with virtual particles in the vacuum of space. However, none of these proposed mechanisms have been scientifically proven or widely accepted by the scientific community.

3. What evidence has been presented to support the existence of the EmDrive?

The main evidence for the EmDrive comes from experimental tests conducted by various researchers, including NASA's Eagleworks team. These tests have shown small amounts of thrust being produced, but the results have not been consistently reproduced and have been met with skepticism from the scientific community. Additionally, there have been claims of successful EmDrive tests by private companies, but these have not been independently verified.

4. What are the arguments against the EmDrive being a legitimate technology?

The main arguments against the EmDrive being a legitimate technology are based on the lack of a scientifically accepted explanation for how it works and the lack of reproducible results. Many scientists argue that the observed thrust could be due to experimental errors or other external factors, rather than the EmDrive actually producing thrust. Additionally, the concept of a reactionless drive goes against well-established laws of physics.

5. What is the current status of research on the EmDrive?

Research on the EmDrive is ongoing, but there has been a lack of major breakthroughs or significant progress in understanding how it works. Some private companies continue to claim success with the technology, but these claims have not been independently verified. NASA's Eagleworks team has also continued to conduct experiments, but their results have not been widely accepted by the scientific community. Overall, the EmDrive remains a controversial and unproven technology in the eyes of most scientists.

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