possibly stupid physics / engineering question
04-05-2012, 00:23
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#1
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cf.addict
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 231
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possibly stupid physics / engineering question
Now i know less than jack about physics but i had a thought about powering a engine using lightning streams.
If we had the materials and technology to produce and contain a constant lightning bolt within a confined area. Could this be used as a replacement instead of burning fuel in a turbine engine ? From what i've read the temperature generated would be around 30,000c What would happen to the incoming air at this high temperature. Would it just expand or would it change to some type of plasma. Could the concept of a lightning engine work ?
See very basic drawing below.
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04-05-2012, 00:41
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#2
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Guest
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Re: possibly stupid physics / engineering question
Yes, from your opening statement, your grasp of physics (and a great deal more, reality being perhaps one) is tenuous. I am not a rocket scientist or nuclear physicist (although I do know a NASA scientist) but I really don't think that your design is yet viable. However, keep trying and you never know
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04-05-2012, 08:22
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#3
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Re: possibly stupid physics / engineering question
Quote:
Originally Posted by deakin
Now i know less than jack about physics but i had a thought about powering a engine using lightning streams.
If we had the materials and technology to produce and contain a constant lightning bolt within a confined area. Could this be used as a replacement instead of burning fuel in a turbine engine ? From what i've read the temperature generated would be around 30,000c What would happen to the incoming air at this high temperature. Would it just expand or would it change to some type of plasma. Could the concept of a lightning engine work ?
See very basic drawing below.
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If we had the tech/power source to produce a sustained lightening bolt of that magnitude we wouldn't need it to power a turbine engine
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04-05-2012, 08:42
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#4
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Inactive
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 18,398
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Re: possibly stupid physics / engineering question
Energy is energy so in theory yes it could work...
BUT... You've not explained as to how we produce the lightning in the first place... Unless you've also come up with a tiny little cold fusion electrical reactor your engine from power source to thrust is going to be very inefficient
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04-05-2012, 12:50
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#5
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Re: possibly stupid physics / engineering question
Where would the energy to produce the lightning bolts come from?
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04-05-2012, 13:04
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#6
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Inactive
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Belfast
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Re: possibly stupid physics / engineering question
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05-05-2012, 04:21
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#7
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cf.mega poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 11,207
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Re: possibly stupid physics / engineering question
Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham M
Where would the energy to produce the lightning bolts come from?
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Taser!
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06-05-2012, 10:32
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#8
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cf.mega poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,905
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Re: possibly stupid physics / engineering question
Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham M
Where would the energy to produce the lightning bolts come from?
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From the lightning conductor on the top
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07-05-2012, 17:11
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#9
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Inactive
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Re: possibly stupid physics / engineering question
One point twenty one jigawatts!!!
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12-05-2012, 16:18
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#10
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Inactive
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: In the thick of East Anglia
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Re: possibly stupid physics / engineering question
Having a Physics background I won't slate you as others have. For a poster who doesn't know anything about Physics, it shows an inquisitive mind at work.
The main issue is that jet engines are already efficient once in flight but you still need energy to power a compressor on the front end unless we are talking Ramjet engines which normally only operate at supersonic speeds.
Keep at it though and remember there are hundreds of inventions made by people who knew little about the subjects concerned.
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