Posted by ovyyus (203.26.14.3) on May 30, 2003 at 01:56:53:
In Reply to: Re: "Unnaturally lifting weights" - For Darren posted by Nick Hall on May 29, 2003 at 23:14:31:
Hi Nick,
I don't know about using different muscles to achieve an apparently effortless lift?
It's a very easy experiment to perform. I did it years ago using a similar setup to that used by Laithwaite. You should definately try it, it's a remarkable feeling to be able to lift a heavy weight in this way.
No free lunch though. Energy must be invested to spin the mass, then the spinning mass must be forced to precess. Doesn't sound like the simplicity referred to by Karl. All food for thought.
Regards, ovyyus
: Ovyyus wrote:
: : There might be a way to do as Bessler describes by lifting an 'active' mass. A spinning or rotating mass (spinning top) can be lifted with little force if done with a particular motion. Eric Laithwaite illustrated this lifting method to great effect by lifting a very heavy spinning disk above his head with just two fingers!
: I think the jury is still out on that issue. I have watched the "heretics" programme several times, and looked carefully at the chart recorder output when he is standing on the weighing platform. It seems that in the demo of him lifting the heavy gyro, he is using different muscles in either case:
: 1) Lifting the 'dead weight' - the gyro is at arms length and he is using primarily the upper arm and shoulder muscles.
: 2) Lifting the precessing gyro - he uses much more of his torso to give the gyro a degree of circular motion about his body.
: What is very difficult to analyse or quantify with this experiment is the total amount of energy used in either case. The fact it 'feels' lighter in case 2 could very easily be because, as more muscles are involve, the noticable strain on any one area is greatly reduced. (Which is why weight lifters 'bend at the knees'...)
: The weight recorder chart shows pretty much what you would expect when 'jump lifting' a mass - there is apparent loss of weight at one point, this is counteracted by apparent weight gain at the moment of lift.
: I'm not sure Laithwaite was claiming loss of weight - at least, not in his final patent application.
: He did claim that a gyro could move mass through space without reaction - a claim which seems reasonable IMHO.
: Thanks
: Nick