Magnetohydrodynamics-propelled boat

[tyeabrzannn]

how does this work? I think I might have had the same Idea. I hate it when I have a great Idea and someone has already done it. but anyways I'd appreciate it if you could tell me what this is.

[mhdphilandjulia]

@tyeabrzannn The phenomenon is magnetohydrodynamics and it arises from the Lorentz Force Law, which tells you that if you intersect a magnetic field with a moving charge, that charge will experience a force (in the direction of the right hand rule, i.e. v cross B).

[mhdphilandjulia]

@tyeabrzannn The magnetic field in our project was supplied by two long neodymium magnets along the length of the channel on top and bottom (that's the silvery bar you see below the battery pack). For the charged particles part, we used electrodes (naval brass sheets) to line the sides of the channel, and since we used saltwater, attaching these electrodes to a battery pack would run a current (thus, charged particles) through the water. The Lorentz force propels the boat.

[mhdphilandjulia]

@tyeabrzannn We built this particular boat model and its channel ourselves out of polycarbonate and wanted to put the entire battery pack on the boat as well (so it was really heavy). It went much faster with a lighter battery pack but would have lasted a shorter time.

[bluemonolith88]

very cool.

[yiannismihail]

Congrats to you and to your teacher

[ramsoy55]

i didnt understad what u did.. but julie is nice :)