2007-08-21 01:39:58 · 6 answers · asked by answerme 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Is this even possible?
2007-08-21 01:45:02 · update #1
Sailboat tacking can work because one travels in a direction that the vector component of wind (causing drag) is small.
A sailboat can not use the wind to move directly into the wind. Any such vehicle would be impossible. "Work" is force times distance. To continuously move directly into the wind one would have to extract more energy than was there.
Tacking is often not very practical for land vehicles.
Also not that sail boats don't have to contend with hills.
2007-08-21 02:38:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your other answers are thinking about water craft and tacking is the only way this would work on water. but... You could use the wind to mechanically turn the wheel shaft on a land vehicle and not tack at all. It would require some excellent gearing and a good blow but is is definitely possible.
2007-08-21 08:56:27 · answer #2 · answered by Traveler 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You're about three thousand years too late. The guy who discovered the sailor's trick of tacking into the wind is the guy who invented that vehicle.
2007-08-21 08:49:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is called a sail boat and sail car, already invented, but fun!
2007-08-21 08:48:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you might be able to use these guys' ideas
http://home.att.net/~rcsailcars/index.htm
2007-08-21 08:53:27 · answer #5 · answered by civil_av8r 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here you are!
2007-08-21 08:54:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋