On Demonstrating the Properties of the Acceleration Taking Place in the Rarefied Gases of a Radiometer by Lance Thompson

The radiometer is extensively studied and used to measure energy radiation. However an application of these mechanics is taught as "not possible". Yet I am observing in a radiometer an internal force is taking place in causing an acceleration of the radiometer vanes. I predict in my proposed testing  this force can be directed in other ways to cause an acceleration of a body from within when the "parts" are not directly connected and when the impacting mass is small in relation to the main mass.

A casual observer may think the reflection of energy from the reflective side of the radiometer vanes is imparting momentum to the vanes. This is almost not the case. It is  the energizing of the rarefied gas molecules on the carbon black side of the vanes which imparts momentum into the vanes via slip effects on the vane edges. I feel the potential efficiency of these energized gas molecules in causing the rotation approaches that of the reciprocal of the energy reflected from the reflective side of the vanes.

In 1879 J. Clerk and O. Reynolds found a lateral motion of the heated, energized gas molecules over the non-reflective side of the vane surface results in the energized gas molecules slipping obliquely over the edges, exerting a net force. These effects are described as thermo molecular and counter-intuitive. (1)

In a well balanced radiometer the vanes can reach a velocity of 2000 to 3000 rpm. The small mass of the gas molecules as compared to the much larger vanes and harness would reach on a molecular level substantially higher velocities. On the level at which it operates these mechanical properties look quite efficient in converting energy into momentum.

Except for the input of energy, a radiometer is a self contained environment.. The application of force on the edges of the vanes via slip effects is the result of an energy cycle. This cycle involves the input of energy, the heating of the vane surfaces. The transfer of energy to molecular momentum (without at this initial transfer an offsetting force due to the small mass of the individual gas molecules). Then the energized gas molecules slip as a unit over the vane edges, in turn transferring the molecular momentum to vane momentum.  In this process the gas molecules would lose energy and become cooled until re-energized.  

The momentum of the vanes is tied to thermo molecular effects (which are a part of the above description). The created pressure gradients within the rarefied gases ensure this energy/momentum conversion process keeps repeating itself, a "momentum pump" for the conversion of energy to the momentum of the vanes and vane harness.  

(If other explanations are forthcoming such explanations would make an allowancelittle or no apparent force is being exerted on the radiometer vanes in the initial transfer of energy from the carbon black surface to that of the rarefied gas molecules. It is this initial transfer of energy which opens demonstrating of the properties of the acceleration taking place in the radiometer. I also note each step contains Newtonian physics. Yet the steps together give a result which could be described as "counter-intuitive" and "opposite" to Newtonian physics.) 

Premise and Purpose of my Paper

The premise of my paper is a net force is exerted on the radiometer vanes. This  force can also be applied from within a body to cause not just a vane mass acceleration, but can be applied to cause the acceleration of the body itself.  My paper is to design a test to further demonstrate the  properties of this form of acceleration.  

Preliminary Testing

In support of my premise, the force exerted in a radiometer can be directed in other ways to cause an acceleration of a body, I feel the rotation of the vanes itself would be the result of the rarefied gas reactions (i.e. the rotation itself would not contribute to the rarefied gas reactions). In support of this significant point for the testing would be William Crookes' original observations. Before he invented the radiometer in 1875, Crookes found on weighing objects in a partial vacuum the rarefied gas reactions initially took place on particles which could be affected in different directions (in other words the reactions were not due to random Brownian motion). (2) 

The preliminary testing is to be at room temperature with similar rarefied gases as in a radiometer and at a similar torr pressure. The confirmation of the non-rotational nature of the force applied is first necessary before undertaking the testing to demonstrate the properties of what I sense could be an "overlooked" form of acceleration.

After breaking the sealing tube and then the glass bulb in a closed safety bag, one of the vanes can be carefully removed so as to not disturb the carbon black surface. This vane can then be mounted with a pin hole for a a wire guide so the vane will be free to move when a light beam is applied in a partial vacuum to the carbon black side. I predict when light energy is applied the vane will be accelerated along the wire guide - confirming the force is non rotational. I feel this initial confirmation will show the slip effects remain operative in a non rotational setting.

As a check, a glass bulb on a radiometer can be removed and the vanes and pedestal mounted in the vacuum chamber. The vanes should begin rotating as the single vane is propelled along the guide wire.

In this initial confirmation one may also rigidly attach 2 or 3 vanes  to a light weight, small diameter rod mounted in a grove in a pedestal at each end of the rod, leaving say 4 cm of free play for the vanes and rod to move as a unit upon applying a light source. I anticipate  the vanes and rod would now be propelled as a unit. One could now visualize enclosing the vanes and rod in a light weight transparent  covering (leaving space around the vanes for slip effects) that such a "rudimentary engine" could be propelled from a directional force from inside the "vehicle".  

One may also in this initial testing take this to completion and enclose the attached vanes and rod in a transparent covering in deriving an initial confirmation of what I feel is a  form of acceleration with its own special properties. 

It occurs to me  a physics class as a science project could dismantle a few radiometers. Then carefully rearrange and mount the vanes, as per above, on a board.  Elevate the board slightly at one end to show an active force is being applied to push the affixed vanes on the rod  "uphill". Although a vacuum faculty may not be close at hand, this initial work could be undertaken apart from a vacuum facility. Then the board with its various mountings transported to a vacuum chamber. I would anticipate in an hour or so of vacuum time the students  could observe and  record the response of the various mountings in response to an energy source and then write their findings and conclusions. 

A Testing Proposal for Advanced Vacuum Facilities 

After this initial confirmation a full scale testing could be undertaken to quantify and describe this acceleration force. This would determine the power generated under varying light intensities. The ratio of mass to power generated before impedance sets in could be determined. Different surfaces could be tested with a varying proportion of openings for slip effects. Different atomic weight gases could also be compared as to effectiveness of transferring momentum via slip effects on to the surfaces. (How effective would the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide be in transferring momentum, now trapped to do work? )

In the testing the term "surface" is used to refer to a flat surface with reflective and non reflective sides and of similar composition as the radiometer vanes. Due to the larger area, the surfaces are to contain openings or holes for slip effects to take place around both the edges of the openings and the outer edges of the surfaces.

Testing/Demonstration Notes

1. The openings in the surfaces should be of a size to allow the circulation of de-energized, cooled gas molecules back onto the energized surfaces. The maximum distance between openings could be determined as to when slip effects become impeded.

2. In the radiometer and in the testing once the rarefied gas molecules impart momentum, the gas molecules in losing energy, would become cooled. I feel this cooling could represent the “exhaust” side of a simple engine. This would be similar to a conventional engine as once the energy is imparted into momentum, the exhaust is cooled, the energy transferred to macro momentum. (After losing energy the rarefied gas molecules become essentially dead weight until re-energized.)

3. In this testing (and  in the radiometer) ample space appears available for the circulation of the cooled gas molecules back on to the heated surfaces (so that the process can continue to be recharged and the gas molecules re-energized).

4. Excessive mass and inertia would result in wasted heating without energy being inputted into macro momentum.

5. I observe a small net force directed on one radiometer vane will overcome the inertia of all vanes and the harness in the radiometer (a weight of about 0.4 grams).

6. I note a light source would be more fully directed upon the surfaces in the testing. In contrast to the rotating vanes of a radiometer, the carbon black side of the surfaces could be constantly exposed to a light source. I would anticipate additional power could be generated per unit of time as contrasted to that generated on the rotating radiometer vanes. 

7. The radiometer vanes do not rotate if a full atmosphere were present within the radiometer due to the crowding effects of the gas molecules. Yet this would not preclude, with a sufficient net force generated internally by rarefied gases acting on a series of attached surfaces within a thicker walled, closed cylinder that such a closed cylinder, a test "vehicle",  might develop sufficient power to be propelled in a full external atmosphere.

I feel ways will likely be found to increase the power generated during the testing, perhaps sufficiently so as to demonstrate outside of a vacuum chamber the properties of this acceleration. Such an outside demonstration could  more fully call attention to these properties. 

8. In a radiometer some energy could be expended as the rotating vanes would in effect also be pushing the cooled molecules, now a dead weight. Yet in the test “vehicle”, I feel the power generated may instead be more fully directed to over come the inertia of the “vehicle” itself via slip effects on the interior surfaces.  At the many revolutions per minute of a well balanced radiometer this may not be an inconsequential factor. I am curious as to how this may play out in applying the power generated to an actual testing demonstration.

Confirmation Test

The confirmation test is to take place in a vacuum chamber, at room temperature, in which the rarefied gas pressure is equalized between the vacuum chamber and a closed test cylinder, a test “vehicle”. This would allow the use of a light weight, transparent, closed cylinder containing similar rarefied gases as in the radiometer.

This closed cylinder could be say 10 cm in diameter and 30 cm in length. A series of 5 circular, holed surfaces with a diameter of a little less than 10 cm each can be mounted perpendicular in the cylinder on a spacing of 5 cm to give a total force/power generating area of about 400 sq cm. (This would include solid areas and up to 50% openings in the surfaces for slip effects. Actual dimensions, openings, and gases selected are to be determined in the preliminary testing.)

As slip effects would be a function of heating the surfaces, a light source from a high, oblique angle could be used and thus a narrower spacing of the surfaces. This “test vehicle” can be mounted on low friction skids or on low friction wheels. (As in the preliminary testing a positive grade would further demonstrate an active force.)

Predicted Properties

I feel the following properties could be demonstrated on applying energy on the non-reflective side of the surfaces of the closed cylinder, a "test vehicle".

1. As in the force directed by slip effects to the edges of the radiometer vanes to overcome inertia, I predict this test could likewise demonstrate it could be possible to direct a net force to the surfaces of the closed cylinder, a test “vehicle”, to overcome inertia.

Hence, as in a radiometer, I predict such a body could be propelled from an internal generation of power through an application of energy.

2. Such a form of propulsion  would require no surfaces exterior to the “vehicle” itself for traction. In this test the rarefied gases slipping obliquely over the interior surface edges impart momentum. In this property of this acceleration the body itself  would become through its own inertia the base for an accelerative force. 

3. The transfer of momentum would be from near a molecular level from the rarefied gases. There would be no readily visible moving parts, except the test “vehicle”.

4. In this test, as in the radiometer, the input of energy would continue to recharge and to reuse the rarefied gases to exert a force on the surfaces of the closed cylinder. Because the “exhaust gas”, the cooled molecules in transferring momentum, are recharged and reused,  no exhaust gas would be discharged.  (If ways to apply such a property might someday be found, a clean energy source would still be required.) 

5. A basic limitation is if high velocities should be reached, as in space using solar energy, deceleration would become increasingly difficult. I foresee such testing would be for the benefit of earth.

I  now reflect on these properties, my first rough sketch and on my reading of the counter-intuitive nature of the rarefied gas reactions. I reflect on applying a force when the parts are not directly connected. I note the small mass of the individual molecules compared to the larger vane mass, the slip effects, and the force exerted. Then as  a  necessary step I pause to show a recognition of my initial reaction, one which stays with me even as I write these words, "these properties just do not seem possible". I sense it is in my holding and acknowledging this initial reaction that I am now  more able to go “through” this reaction of the seemingly impossible to explore these properties. 

Although the force exerted may be relatively small, I do not consider this a reason for not undertaking the testing. The objective of the testing is to test and further confirm these special case properties and to then put these properties "on the table" as physically possible. (end)

References

1."How Does A Light-Mill Work?", 6/97, P.Gibbs  http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/General/LightMill/light-mill.htm

2. Dictionary of Scientific Biography. Vol. III, 1974, pgs 476-7. 

The testing is to be under the supervision of those with experience and knowledge of vacuum safety considerations.

The originality of my ideas, including my ideas shared with others, is given to the public domain to be freely used should ways be found to apply these properties - perhaps in ways which are not yet apparent. 

I retain my Copyright 2008, as my property, Laurence (Lance) Thompson. Not withstanding this copyright, this paper can be reproduced for dissemination in limited quantities, without my express permission, as long as reference to the author is made, no alterations are made, and no money exchanged. 6/18/08 last edited (minor). lance@pon.net      http://radiometernewforce.com