Testing If You Can Blow Your Own Sail
Mark Rober・2 minutes read
Fans do not propel boats forward; it is the wind on sails. Various physics demonstrations debunk myths, including the Coriolis effect on swirling water and floating backpack impact reduction claims.
Insights
- Demonstrations with sails and fans on boats and trains illustrate Newton's laws of motion, emphasizing that sailboats move forward due to wind on their sails, not fans, highlighting fundamental physics principles.
- The debunking of a tourist demo near the equator involving water swirling in opposite directions reveals the importance of critical thinking and skepticism in evaluating scientific claims, showcasing the value of empirical evidence over sensationalized demonstrations.
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Recent questions
How do sailboats move forward?
Sailboats move forward by wind blowing on their sails, not by fans, as demonstrated with a train car and sail. The individual in the summary tested whether a fan blowing on a sail would move a boat forward, ultimately proving that sailboats rely on wind power for propulsion.
What is the Coriolis effect?
The Coriolis effect explains the direction of swirling water in sinks and toilets in different hemispheres due to the Earth's rotation. It influences the direction of moving objects on a rotating planet, causing water to swirl in different directions depending on the hemisphere.
Is the floating backpack effective?
The floating backpack claimed to reduce impact forces by 86% is debated as a potential scam due to its design and functionality. The backpack's suspension system is analyzed, with arguments for and against its effectiveness in reducing impact forces, raising doubts about its actual benefits.
How does Newton's third law apply to a train car?
A fan attached to a train car moves the car in the opposite direction when turned on, demonstrating Newton's third law. This law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, showcasing how the fan's force propels the car in the opposite direction.
What is the purpose of investing in a CrunchLabs build box subscription?
Investing in a CrunchLabs build box subscription can foster a passion for learning STEM and engineering principles in a fun and engaging way, with the chance to win a day of building with the team. This subscription offers hands-on activities that encourage creativity and problem-solving skills in a supportive environment.
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Summary
00:00
Physics Experiments: Debunking Myths and Demonstrations
- The individual is testing whether a fan blowing on a sail will move a boat forward.
- They travel 4000 miles to the equator to investigate a tourist demo involving water swirling and draining in opposite directions on either side of the equator.
- To uncover the truth, they explore various physics and engineering puzzles through simple demonstrations.
- The moon appears differently in the sky in the Northern and Southern hemispheres due to the Earth's spherical shape.
- By connecting two pins with a string and tracing it out, an ellipse is formed with focus points that reflect light and sound.
- When slamming on the brakes in a car, the cake slides forward due to Newton's laws and the mass of air molecules.
- A fan attached to a train car moves the car in the opposite direction when turned on, demonstrating Newton's third law.
- Sailboats move forward by wind blowing on their sails, not by fans, as demonstrated with a train car and sail.
- A floating backpack claimed to reduce impact forces by 86% is debated as a potential scam due to its design and functionality.
- The backpack's suspension system is analyzed, with arguments for and against its effectiveness in reducing impact forces.
11:14
Debunking Myths: Water Swirling and STEM Learning
- Carrying an extra 4 pounds of weight to the top of a mountain, even with a hover glide backpack, may not be beneficial on rough terrain.
- The Coriolis effect explains the direction of swirling water in sinks and toilets in different hemispheres due to the Earth's rotation.
- The swirling direction of water in sinks and toilets is not significantly affected by the Coriolis effect, as demonstrated by a tourist demo near the equator.
- The tourist demo showcasing opposite swirling directions of water was debunked as a magic trick, not based on actual science.
- Investing in a CrunchLabs build box subscription can foster a passion for learning STEM and engineering principles in a fun and engaging way, with the chance to win a day of building with the team.
