Apparently - saw an article on bbc.co.uk - the transfer of energy is possible via electromagnetic resonance if the antenna used to receive the energy resonates in the same way as the antenna transmitting it, over a given distance.
The example used to describe this was of a string plucked on an accoustic guitar, where the vibration of the string causes the body of the instrument itself to vibrate (which musicians feel and are said to use to manipulate the sound generated by both).
Also, apparently magnetism is a result of electrons spinning round in a certain direction and if they are spinning in the same direction as another group of electrons (clockwise for example) then they are said to have the same polarity and repel each other - and if they are spinning in the opposite direction from each other (one group clockwise, the other anticlockwise) then they attract each other.
Do the electrons also resonate?
Can these two properties - if true - mean we could pick up energy?
2006-11-15 07:39:32 · 6 answers · asked by cragoogle 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I like bubsir's answer - but it raises a question.
How do you make your receptor resonate at the same frequency or group of wavelengths as the electrons resonating in the air now - if indeed electrons in the air do resonate as we speak.
If electrons resonate in the air naturally, then we could pick up that resonation in theory...
...I like that mythbusters program as well.
Also - I read that not all of the energy need be lost if you make the receptor out of the right material.
The Professor in the bbc article I mentioned is using copper I think...
Article referred to is here;
"Physics promises wireless power"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6129460.stm
2006-11-15 10:10:21 · update #1
Your first paragraph is quite true. Tesla patented various methods for transmitting power using large resonators with local "receivers." If you have a resonant cavity you can get pretty good coupling between source and receiver (microwave oven for example). The general use for power distribution has its problems, not least of which is how do you charge($) the receiver?
The analogy of sympathetic vibration is valid.
Not sure what to make of the magnetism bit.
Electrons resonate - they may in fact be "resonances"
Our entire electrical power system is based on Electricity and Magnetism so I think the answer is yes we can pick up energy.
What may be missing is that we also have to provide the energy up front before we get to pick it up!
2006-11-15 08:05:24 · answer #1 · answered by bubsir 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They tried this one on Mythbusters recently: electricity for free, just erect the correct array. In theory it may work, in practise they couldn't even power a small light bulb. I guess the laws of entropy strike again!
An alternative energy source that may have some legs to it is generation by piezoelectric means. Imagine a truck rolling over a highway and owing to its down-force, generating electricity as it travels along the road.
2006-11-15 07:59:10 · answer #2 · answered by 13caesars 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very similar to radio freq but the resonate characters is more harmonic and Multiple harmonics but as far as plucking energy. all the harmonics generated will be down 20 to 30dB of the original. u don't get anything for nothing.
2006-11-15 07:48:19 · answer #3 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You still get the energy even if there is no resonance. Why would you want it?
2006-11-15 07:43:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
good question!
all i can think of is that in the first part of your question, the enrgy in the transmitting aerial would dissipate quite quickly....
2006-11-15 07:43:04 · answer #5 · answered by phedro 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The oil mafia.
2006-11-15 08:14:04 · answer #6 · answered by Peti 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋