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Wind-powered ship

Let's take a look!

What type of experiment is this?

Experimental procedure and explanation:

  • Create a ship that runs by rotating a propeller using rubber power.
  • Fix the propeller shaft with the rubber attached to the hull (the rubber power part uses the parts of the model airplane work kit).
  • First, rotate the propeller in the reverse direction to twist the rubber.
  • The propeller rotates when you release the hand holding the propeller. Then, the wind blows backward. At this time, the propeller pushes the air backward, and therefore, the rebound (reaction) causes the ship to move forward.
  • Let us take a closer look at this (Enlarged view). The wind that hits the rotating propeller is turned by the propeller and bends backward. At this time, a force called “lift” acts on the propeller in the direction opposite to the force applied to the air to bend the flow. This force acts on all blades, and the resultant force becomes the force to move forward. It is the same principle as a wind-powered vehicle.
[Keywords] Rotary wing, Momentum theory
[Related items]

Wind-powered vehicle, Jet Propulsion

[Reference]

“The Wonders of Flow”, Japan Society of Mechanical Engineering, Kodansha Blue Backs, P192-197.

“Illustrated Fluid Dynamics Trivia,” by Ryozo Ishiwata, Natsume Publishing, P222-223.

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Last Update:3.3.2023