You are not logged in.
Yea, He was talking about multiple photons striking the incedent electron at rest the books talks about one photon hitting the electron.
Offline
Also, the Sun has few photons coming from it that can be used. Perhaps, the conservation of energy principle is just wrong with this Newtonian example of classic billiard-ball- collision.It may hold true for all other examples except for this one.
Offline
"Perhaps, the conservation of energy principle is just wrong with this Newtonian example of classic billiard-ball- collision.It may hold true for all other examples except for this one."
Thats probobly the silliest thing you have ever said here Errorist.
The laws of physics aren't going to part and the heavens open just for your engines Errorist; of course it applies, thats why they call it a law!
[i]"The power of accurate observation is often called cynicism by those that do not have it." - George Bernard Shaw[/i]
[i]The glass is at 50% of capacity[/i]
Offline
Of course laws can be changed and in this field it would take more than an act of congress. However, that mathematic formula seems to support the idea. It could be the forumla was miss understood.
Offline
I think Errorist is talking about the photoelectric effect. However, it is still not a billiard ball collision because the electron does not travel in the same direction that the photon was traveling in. Besides, it does not matter what type of collision occurs, it will not affect the amount of thrust that the engine generates.
Offline
No, the physics book says it is the Compton effect. But, the photoelectric effect is similar: The photon hits the electron in orbit around the atom.
Offline
"However, that mathematic formula seems to support the idea. It could be the forumla was miss understood. "
It does no such thing. The only one doing the misunderstanding about physical laws is you Errorist.
SINCE the conservation of energy applies to the Compton Effect, you are thusly bound by thermodynamics again, in which case your engine still needs vast amounts of energy to reach a high performance.
[i]"The power of accurate observation is often called cynicism by those that do not have it." - George Bernard Shaw[/i]
[i]The glass is at 50% of capacity[/i]
Offline
"The Compton Effect".
One photon at C collides and accelerates one at rest dissacociated electron from an atom to near the speed of light.
This is stated in the Physics book and it violates the conservation of energy. So how can it be true that this occurs?
Offline
One photon at C collides and accelerates one at rest dissacociated electron from an atom to near the speed of light.
This is stated in the Physics book and it violates the conservation of energy. So how can it be true that this occurs?
It does not violate conservation of energy since the photons involved are high energy gamma rays, thus they have sufficient energy and momentum to accelerate the electrons to a high velocity.
Offline
How much energy does it take to create one gamma ray?
Offline
I doubt even Gamma rays have that kind of power, but there is no theoretical limit to the energy of a photon, it depends on how much the energy transfer is.
You can in theory have a photon of such high energy where a single one would be able to accelerate an electron to near the speed of light, BUT the conservation of energy still applies, and so the energy required to MAKE this photon in any useful quantity would be extreme.
There is just no way to get around the thermodynamics Errorist, give it up. No matter how much you want it to, you can't turn a given amount of input energy into a greater amount of propulsive kenetic energy.
[i]"The power of accurate observation is often called cynicism by those that do not have it." - George Bernard Shaw[/i]
[i]The glass is at 50% of capacity[/i]
Offline
Cosmic ray, Ultraviolet light? Would these also accelerate electrons?
Offline
Yeah, but only so much. Do you want to build a vehicle pushed by such rays that are naturally in space?
[i]"The power of accurate observation is often called cynicism by those that do not have it." - George Bernard Shaw[/i]
[i]The glass is at 50% of capacity[/i]
Offline
Perhaps, from our Sun?
Offline
You can't capture or direct cosmic rays, the most powerful EM energies, because they would penitrate your collector.
UV light wouldn't give your electrons much push, and there is a much more efficent way to use them to push your space ship: A solar sail. Aluminized to reflect UV light.
[i]"The power of accurate observation is often called cynicism by those that do not have it." - George Bernard Shaw[/i]
[i]The glass is at 50% of capacity[/i]
Offline
Photoelectic solar power?
Offline
Huh?
A solar "light" sail produces thrust by reflecting and reducing the wavelength or the number of reflected photons, which causes a momentum change in the vehicle.
[i]"The power of accurate observation is often called cynicism by those that do not have it." - George Bernard Shaw[/i]
[i]The glass is at 50% of capacity[/i]
Offline
Solar panels?
Offline
Solar panels could be tailored to capture some UV wavelengths, but the further you get from the sun this energy drops off pretty rapidly. Cosmic rays can't be captured at all.
[i]"The power of accurate observation is often called cynicism by those that do not have it." - George Bernard Shaw[/i]
[i]The glass is at 50% of capacity[/i]
Offline
Which UV wavelengths?
Offline
XRays?
Offline
Probobly the lower half of the UV radiation spectrum.
X-Rays penitrate atoms too deeply, they aren't practical to harness for electricity.
[i]"The power of accurate observation is often called cynicism by those that do not have it." - George Bernard Shaw[/i]
[i]The glass is at 50% of capacity[/i]
Offline
Probably the lower half of the UV radiation spectrum.
How fast can they accelerate free electrons?
Also,Any gamma rays or xrays emmited from our sun and in what quantities?
Offline
Depends on how you capture the UV light, how many you get to interact with the electrons, how the electrons react (what direction, quantity of reradiation), and a host of other concerns.
The Sun doesn't emmit large quantities of Gamma but there is some X-ray.
[i]"The power of accurate observation is often called cynicism by those that do not have it." - George Bernard Shaw[/i]
[i]The glass is at 50% of capacity[/i]
Offline
Depends on how you capture the UV light, how many you get to interact with the electrons, how the electrons react (what direction, quantity of reradiation), and a host of other concerns.
If you can make them collide one for one then have the electrons collide a BILLION to one with an ion then acceleration rates for h2 or Xenon would be pretty good.
Offline