A reactionless thruster that (apparently) really works - no, seriously!

On 08/09/06, ANTIcarrot wrote:
> New scientist if you're willing to buy it:
> http://www.newscientist.com/channel/fundamentals/mg19125681.400-relativity-d
> rive-the-end-of-wings-and-wheels.html
> Or a free and essentially available copy:
> http://www.shelleys.demon.co.uk/fdec02em.htm
>
> Basically it's a tube (preferably superconducting) that's narrower at one
> end than the other. Microwaves are pumped in and 'push' more against the
> wide end than the narrow. This normally tiny effect is magnified somehow by
> some complex relativity mathematics, and you get measurably thrust.

That makes no sense. Maxwell's equations obey conservation of linear
momentum, and this thing is based on Maxwell's equations. Relativity
is derived *from* Maxwell's equations (plus one additional assumption,
which does not violate conservation of linear momentum).

A closed device cannot start moving without an external force, not via
electromagnetic forces in a closed shape, which is what he is
claiming.

Therefore he's screwed up his maths, and the small effect he is
experimentally measuring is extremely likely to be an experimental
artfact.

Additionally, I read the article and then was able to show that if the
thruster were to be able to be placed in space and gain speed when
they put energy into it; it violates conservation of energy as well as
linear momentum. So it would be possible to build a perpetual motion
machine.

> Yes I know it sounds daft, and yes I remember how cold fusion didn't work
> out, but this one seems to have been pier reviewed 8
> *before* being announced. More over, a similar effect is known about in
> particle accelerators like CERN, where is it considdered most annoying as
> the movements throws off their measurements.

Nobody is saying that electromagnetism can't create huge forces
*between* things. What it can't do is make unbalanced forces (except
where beams are allowed to escape- there is a photon rocket effect-
but this device doesn't do that.)

> Provisos:
> 1) Curently it only generates low thrust, in the same range of ion
> thrusters.

That's one of the signs of pseudo science by the way- the effect is
small, and stays small even as the experiment improves.

> 2) Even more complex physics states the thrust will drop off as it moves
> along its axis. So it will hover, but not push upwards.

That makes no sense from relativity theory.

> John

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