The provided information describes the physics involved in a static gravity wheel, not how a working gravity wheel would operate (if such a thing were possible). Here's an explanation of the torque involved in a stationary "gravity wheel" based on the reference.
Torque and a Stationary Gravity Wheel
The reference explains the forces at play when a gravity wheel is not in motion and is held still. The key concept is torque. Torque is a rotational force that tends to cause rotation.
Newton's Laws and Torque
Newton's laws of motion and the concept of torque are fundamental to understanding this.
- Newton's First Law (Inertia): An object at rest stays at rest unless acted upon by a force. In this case, the wheel's mass wants to stay at rest.
- Torque: A force that causes rotation.
The Flywheel and Torque
- When the apparatus (the gravity wheel) is stationary and held by its shaft, the mass of the flywheel creates a torque acting downwards.
- Imagine the flywheel as a lever arm with the weight of the mass acting at the end. This weight creates a turning force (torque) around the shaft.
Balancing the Torque
- To prevent the wheel from rotating, an opposite torque needs to be applied.
- This opposing torque could be supplied by holding the shaft, which exerts a force that counteracts the torque due to gravity.
Why This Doesn't Describe a Functioning "Gravity Wheel"
It's important to note that the reference describes a static situation. It explains the forces needed to prevent rotation, not how to create continuous rotation. A perpetually moving "gravity wheel" that violates the laws of thermodynamics (specifically, conservation of energy) is not a scientifically viable concept.
Summary
The provided reference helps explain the static equilibrium of a flywheel system, not how a functional "gravity wheel" would operate (as such a device would violate established physics principles). The key takeaway is the presence and balancing of torques when the wheel is stationary.
