Will "centrifugal propulsion" works?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of "centrifugal propulsion" and whether a vehicle designed with rotating weights could be driven forward using centrifugal force. Participants explore the mechanics of the proposed vehicle and the implications of Newton's laws of motion.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a vehicle with rotating weights that slide radially, suggesting that different tangential velocities could create varying centrifugal forces to propel the vehicle forward.
  • Another participant asserts that the vehicle cannot be driven forward continuously, citing Newton's first law and referring to the concept of a "reactionless drive."
  • A request for clarification is made regarding why the forces cancel out, leading to a net force of zero.
  • A qualitative explanation is provided, indicating that while one mass may push forward strongly, multiple masses push backward weakly, resulting in cancellation of forces.
  • There is a mention of "reactionless drives" being a banned topic on the forum, prompting a participant to consider deleting the thread.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the feasibility of the proposed propulsion method, with some asserting it cannot work due to fundamental physics principles, while others explore the mechanics without reaching a consensus.

Contextual Notes

The discussion touches on the limitations of the proposed vehicle's design and the implications of Newton's laws, but does not resolve the underlying assumptions or the validity of the "centrifugal propulsion" concept.

Aeronautic Freek
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image veichle with 4 wheels ,beams rotate about point " A",each weight can slide radialy on own "beam" ,so weights rotate in cirlce but with different tangential velocity .Different tangential velocity produce greater "centrifugal force" in one part of circle ,so weight "push" at veichle construcion with greater force in ona part of cirlce,so can we drive this veichle forward?
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Aeronautic Freek said:
so can we drive this veichle forward?
No. You might be able to wobble it back and forth a bit, but not drive it forward continuously.

This would violate Newton's first law and is what would be called a "reactionless drive"
 
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Dale said:
No. You might be able to wobble it back and forth a bit, but not drive it forward continuously.
can you explain why forces cancle out, so Fnet=0?
 
Aeronautic Freek said:
can you explain why forces cancle out, so Fnet=0?
Qualitatively you have one mass pushing forwards strongly while you have three masses pushing backwards weakly. They cancel each other out.

If you set it to be one mass then you will get the wobble that I mentioned. It will push forward briefly with a strong force and then backwards with a weaker force for a longer time. Overall it will cancel out.
 
Aeronautic Freek said:
can you explain why forces cancle out, so Fnet=0?

"Reactionless Drives" is on the list of banned topics at the PF. Please follow the link below. Thank you.

PF Banned Topics said:
EMDrive and other reactionless drives
See https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/nasas-em-drive.884753/
 
@Dale thanks for answer

@berkerman, first time i heard for "reactionless drive" so i didnt know..,ok maybe is best way to delete the topic..
 
No worries, we will just lock the thread.
 
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