2006-12-25 07:24:31 · 10 answers · asked by Zefram 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
If the fan is on the boat - I suspect the ol' law of "equal but opposite forces" would come into play - and the resulting force on the sail would be countered bu the opposite force on the fan itself.
Kind of like trying to lift yourself up by your own boot straps.
2006-12-25 07:33:06 · answer #1 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, this is a tough question.
In the absence of any wind except for the wind generated by the fan and assuming the sail captures 100% of the wind and is pointed sail's normal vector is parallel to the direction of the man-made wind, then no.
Imagine a boat on the x -axis.
Without a sail, and only the fan blow right, it will move left.
With a sail and a fan blowing right, then the sail will want to move it right while the fan suck to the left. Which one wins depends on how much are the sail captures.
Really this is all about the aerodynamics of the sail.
2006-12-25 15:59:20 · answer #2 · answered by Phillip 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, you would be better off without the sail and havinf the pfan push you, these are called fan boats. The fan and the sail would cancel eachother, because the sail would not be able to equalize the pressure by propelling the boat, the pressure would remain constant, thus no equal and opposite reaction.
2006-12-25 15:29:56 · answer #3 · answered by Whamy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. The fan will generate a force towards the stern higher than the force that can be used by the sail
2006-12-25 15:26:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but if u played music maybe sycronicity would make the flutter wave to the music. The torgue arm effect might even make the boat pitch a bit off CG pt
2006-12-25 15:27:45 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
depends on how big your sail is in comparison to the boat. perhaps inches but not a great distance.
2006-12-25 15:27:39 · answer #6 · answered by cami 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope.
This is a good experiment to run in your physics lab.
2006-12-25 17:42:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES,backwards.!!
2006-12-25 15:27:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
thats more or less how an airplane works isnt it?
2006-12-25 15:27:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
no
2006-12-25 15:26:55 · answer #10 · answered by Chuck & Christy N 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋