If i were to build a raft with a sail could i make it move by fixing a very powerful blower to the raft aimed at the sail?. Idea comes from cartoons where popeye jumps on a raft and then blows the sail to make the raft move.
2006-11-27 00:21:57 · 9 answers · asked by the egg 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
All these quacks who answered before me no nothing.
I have seen it done ov T V many times.
2006-11-27 19:42:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. But if you had a blower and pointed it in the opposite direction of where you want to go, that would work. If you point it at the sail, then the energy produced by the fan is cancelled by the opposite energy expressed as force on the sail.
The thrust produced by a blower will move the raft in a direction AWAY from the thrust. It's the same principle as a jet engine.
2006-11-27 11:19:26 · answer #2 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I agree with the others that answered a fan is a bad idea, but you can go down wind if you put a sail on a raft. Of course you will never be able to go upwind like a read sailboat can. That ability has more to do with the shape of your hull (keel) than the sails.... Jim
2006-11-27 10:47:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
no, the rear-ward thrust on the fan blades would counter the forward thrust onto the sail and cause the raft to move backwards (because of energy transfer losses between fan baldes through the air to the sail), point the fan backwards and remove the sail, then you have a fan powered raft.
2006-11-27 08:26:45 · answer #4 · answered by only1doug 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Third law of motion "Action-Reaction" Any forward force on the sail is balanced by the recoil of the blower. If "A" pushes on "B" then "B" pushes on "A". Throw the sail away and turn the blower in the opposite direction, just like those air boats you see in the Florida Everglades.
2006-11-27 22:18:47 · answer #5 · answered by snorkelsc 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Raft shape does not allow for easy manoerving. Sail boats are shaped with easy entry and keel to make them move easily using optimum wind power. I have seen at boat shows small sail boats powered by big fans on hte shore.
2006-11-27 09:04:53 · answer #6 · answered by science teacher 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Nope. As stated above, the movement of air made by the fan would cancel out the forward motion in the sail. Boat would be deadheaded.
2006-11-27 11:43:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, the source of energy has to be opposite or independent of the object to be moved.
2006-11-27 08:31:47 · answer #8 · answered by Roberto 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
only if the fan isn't connected to the raft....that's my guess.
2006-11-27 08:27:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋