What form of transportation converts the the highest percent of energy input (whether it is gas or electricity or calories) into forward locomotion of the final object being moved?
For example, it cannot be a car, since even the most efficient car has to move over a ton of metal in order to transport a 185 person.
I seem to recall reading the a bicycle was the most efficient but wonder if it is true.
2007-07-09 08:46:52 · 5 answers · asked by A Baby Ate My Dingo 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
In terms of cost per pound per mile, on land it's a train and at sea it's a cargo ship. The bigger and longer the better. Transportation has an inherent economy of scale in such matters.
2007-07-09 15:11:24 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A ship with an efficient engine.
2007-07-13 10:27:21 · answer #2 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how you measure input and output.
If you define efficiency as miles*people / energy, then a bike probably is pretty good--especially if you discount inefficiencies in our bodies turning food into work.
2007-07-09 15:53:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
ice skates gliding on near frictionless surface does not need a lot of energy to get going.
2007-07-09 15:55:03 · answer #4 · answered by Jim Shorts 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a great scientist once said "it is easier to move space than it is to move through it" -Buc Buc
2007-07-09 16:40:01 · answer #5 · answered by Buck BUCK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋