From: Marko Cebokli (s57uuu@hamradio.si)
Date: Sun Jul 28 2002 - 11:36:34 PDT
In a purely Newtonian picture, when a force acts on a mass, you get
acceleration. The equations are symetrical regarding the signs and
directions, so thrust and braking look the same. This is usable in
the case of reactive (rocket) propulsion in empty space.
If you have friction, you must include thermodynamics, which says
that it's much easier to convert kinetic energy into heat than the
other way. Magnetic braking is akin to friction in that it converts
kinetic energy into heat. It's different from friction in that the
force is proportional to speed and depends on direction relative to
the field.
Magnetic braking might be unfeasible for interstelar travel for other
reasons like:
- interstellar magnetic fields too weak
- no technology to make the wire with suitable tensile strength +
electrical conductivity + high temperature tolerance etc.
Marko Cebokli
Daniel Boyd Fox wrote:
>
> Would you say that friction is the same as thrust?
>
> On Fri, 26 Jul 2002, Gary Hoffman wrote:
>
> > As I said before...drag is the same thing as thrust...just pointed in the
> > opposite direction.
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