2006-09-07 12:38:49 · 9 answers · asked by dirtyharry 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Yes, but it would be hopelessly inefficient. A fundamental law of thermodynamics says that a heat engine, like a steam engine, at everyday temperatures can never be more than about 30% efficient. You'd be better off using the electricity to run an electric motor. The other problem is that a steam engine takes time to build up a head of steam. You can't just turn a key and go.
2006-09-07 12:45:06 · answer #1 · answered by zee_prime 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is very possible.
No, it is not practical.
Every time you convert one form of energy into another, you lose efficiency. You would be converting electric energy to microwaves (strike one) then you would be converting the microwaves to heat (strike two) then the water to steam (strike three) and then the steam to mechanical force - sorry, you only get three strikes.
A steam engine is an external combustion engine - meaning the heat is generated outside of the engine. Due to the latent heat of evaporation (the steam absorbs a lot of "extra" heat that is not used to power your engine - it is wasted). Steam engines are bulky, heavy, inefficient and very slow to start.
You are on the right track, though, in trying to think of ways to get away from burning gasoline to power our vehicles. What else can you conjure up?
2006-09-07 22:53:00 · answer #2 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is possible. there are different ways of doing this. My Brother Len has already done something like that he heats his home with microwave steam that goes through copper pipes that distribute the heat! The heat comes from microwaves! Sorry don't know his email cause he changed it!
2006-09-07 19:46:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes but you would have to have a gas or diesel powered generator on board to furnish the electricity to power the microwave. Using solar enerby to unrelible and batteries to costly and big
2006-09-11 05:48:52 · answer #4 · answered by JUAN FRAN$$$ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
four problems,
The car would be huge
The car would be WAY too hot, and in the middle of summer, forget it
Way too much power ( How the heck will you make microwaves without electricity and here we are back with gas again)
Water evaporates!
2006-09-07 19:41:52 · answer #5 · answered by sur2124 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Engineers have designed a car that can run 200 miles off of 2 tablespoons of water.
2006-09-07 19:45:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes, but you would need 100 km of power cord to power the microwave
2006-09-07 19:40:17 · answer #7 · answered by brinlarrr 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would you want it to run on a microwave???? microwaves produce radiation....
2006-09-07 19:47:49 · answer #8 · answered by ♠ melisa ♠ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Electric car would be more efficient.
2006-09-07 19:42:41 · answer #9 · answered by dwarf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋