2006-07-07 08:50:29 · 6 answers · asked by dancingbear112755 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
The device is based on a real device built by Nikola Tesla (Magnifying Transmitter?), although I'm not sure if Ayn Rand ever admitted that.
This doesn't work as an energy source, because you don't just have vast amounts of static electricity available to soak up. There is a lot of voltage difference around, for example the top of the Empire State Building is certainly a few millivolts higher than the ground floor, but we cannot harness minor voltage differences any more than we can harness minor temperature differences. You end up having to run around looking for large potential differences (like those experienced in a lightning bolt), and the thing is neither efficient nor reliable.
2006-07-07 22:24:32 · answer #1 · answered by Steve W 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Static electricity can generate high voltages, but it cannot deliver much current. Since power is voltage x curent, you have something x zero = zero power. (Well, almost zero)
Ayn Rand is not a scientist or engineer.
2006-07-07 16:31:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The static electricity engine was just a plot device to emphasive how collectivism suppresses new ideas and probably not viable in the real world.
2006-07-07 17:58:21 · answer #3 · answered by Chx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ayn Rand is a psycho *****
2006-07-07 16:05:06 · answer #4 · answered by GitErDone 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave Randy An to do what she does best.
2006-07-07 17:53:40 · answer #5 · answered by dmb06851 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why not, please go ahead and invent it and make it usable.
2006-07-07 15:53:30 · answer #6 · answered by Sufi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋