Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: sourcery
On Earth there is always air or water available to push against.

I enjoyed your explanation but I still have an argument with the statement above (not yours). It implies the force is derived from "pushing" against the air which is a popular misconception and totally ignores the fact that the air or water is accelerated by the propellor.

68 posted on 02/28/2003 6:49:09 PM PST by cinFLA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies ]


To: cinFLA
On Earth there is always air or water available to push against.

Ah. I see. I interpreted that statement as simply referring to the fact that the propellor blades transfer momentum to molecules of air by hitting them, although I admit that "push" is probably not the best verb to describe the process.

71 posted on 02/28/2003 7:00:16 PM PST by sourcery (The Oracle on Mount Doom)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies ]

To: cinFLA
"pushing" against the air which is a popular misconception

It makes sense if you think of the necessity to "push" on the air to expel it rearward at a high velocity, imparting to it the necessary momentum, which is also increased in the forward velocity of the propellor.

94 posted on 02/28/2003 11:29:44 PM PST by mcsparkie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson