2007-02-26 10:44:39 · 10 answers · asked by PETE 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The turbine would generate electricity. But this would also slow down the boat.
2007-02-26 10:49:07 · answer #1 · answered by Gnomon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A wind turbine converts the energy of the wind into mechanical energy to drive a generator to produce electrical energy.
Your wind turbine, to drive a boat would need a motor to turn it into a blower similar to the type used in the Everglades.
If you wanted the turbine to produce electricity, how much power do you expect it to produce as it could not possibly be the same dimensions of the modern wind turbine... The boat would be top heavy and ponderous in the water.. if it stayed afloat at all....If I were you I'd forget it.
2007-02-26 20:16:06 · answer #2 · answered by Norrie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
normally wind turbines move by the transfer of wind energy to the turbine. To put it crudely, the turbine 'takes' the energy from the wind (and then converts it to chemical energy in the battery).
However, if it is not windy and it is only the boats motion that is forcing the turbine to move, the energy is in fact coming from the boat pushing through the air and not the movement of the air.
The turbine will be only move by fighting air resistance, requiring more energy from your boat battery to do this.
If the turbine was 100% efficient (all the energy 'put in' to move it came out as electric energy) then all you would get is a balance of energy spent from the boat battery and energy gained from the turbine. However, as turbines are not efficient (they generate heat and sound energy as byproducts) you would actually end up losing energy from your boat.
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Of course, if you were to only erect the turbine during windy conditions, then this would generate additional energy that may be stored by the battery for future use. But it would be worth thinking about the energy spent carrying the additional weight of the turbine!
Hopefully I've explained that relatively clearly!
2007-02-26 19:09:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
wel wind turbines are really big, so i don't know that 'straping' one to the top of your boat would keep it there, but maybe if it was properly built onto the boat, it could be an idea to conserve energy, but maybe a solar panel would work better... depending on what you want it for...
2007-02-26 18:49:51 · answer #4 · answered by Random one 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know what you are thinking! But then it would be perpetual motion, if an electric motor could move the boat and the wind turbine would generate enough energy to keep it moving indefinitely.
This will not work due to friction and losses.
2007-02-26 18:48:23 · answer #5 · answered by rscanner 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The turbine would turn and generate electricity that could be used to drive the ship.
However it would not generate as much power as the power from a simple sail on the ship.
But it could be used to drive the ship directly into wind.
2007-02-26 19:07:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would experience a disparity between the amount of energy created and the amount necessary to create it. Law of diminishing returns.
2007-02-26 18:48:49 · answer #7 · answered by rico3151 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some already have wind generators, have you not seen muti bladed fans on some yachts?
2007-02-26 19:25:26 · answer #8 · answered by Spanner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I love to find out what you think would happen.
2007-02-26 18:47:36 · answer #9 · answered by duuh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your boat would become airborn then water logged
2007-02-26 18:48:15 · answer #10 · answered by fuufingf 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋