Does the gravitational force change for a spinning wheel

In summary, spinning a wheel does not generate lift or change the mass or total downwards force of the wheel. However, in the presence of air, the wheel can be designed to intentionally generate lift, similar to a helicopter rotor, without affecting the force of gravity or the mass of the wheel. In a symmetrical environment, the rotation of the wheel does not create any upward or downward forces.
  • #1
Mathijsgri
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When a wheel spins does it generate lift or something, the wheel spins so that the torque force is downwards.

for example you measure the weight of the wheel and then you spin then wheel does anything change?
The wheel is solid and if their change something does it matter if it is a constant velocity or an acceleration.
 
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  • #2
No, spinning makes no difference to the mass of the wheel.
Hence it will accelerate in a gravitational field exactly the same as a non-spinning wheel.
(Assuming we are considering what happens in a vacuum that is - if air is present then the spinning might create some aerodynamic effects, but still the mass of the wheel won't change)
 
  • #3
if their will be air and the wheel spins fast enough is their cab their be a lift force?
i know the mass won't change but what about the total downwards force?
 
  • #4
Yes, the wheel could be intentionally designed to generate lift as a result of the rotation .
Essentially that's what a helicopter rotor does.
However this doesn't reduce the force of gravity or affect the mass.
It just produces a counter-force acting in the opposite direction.
 
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  • #5
Mathijsgri said:
if their will be air and the wheel spins fast enough is their cab their be a lift force?
i know the mass won't change but what about the total downwards force?
For a symmetrical wheel in a symmetric atmosphere, the symmetry guarantees that there can be neither upward nor downward forces (*). The fact that the rotation [pseudo-]vector points downward is irrelevant. It is purely a matter of convention whether the rotation from a wheel spinning clockwise is seen as pointing toward the viewer or away from the viewer.

(*) There is a theoretical possibility that the rotation could set up a stable asymmetric circulation, but it would be a 50/50 chance which direction the asymmetry would point.
 

Related to Does the gravitational force change for a spinning wheel

1. How does the gravitational force change for a spinning wheel?

The gravitational force does not change for a spinning wheel. The force of gravity between two objects depends only on their masses and the distance between them, and is not affected by the rotation of one of the objects.

2. Does the speed of the spinning wheel affect the gravitational force?

No, the speed of the spinning wheel does not affect the gravitational force. As mentioned before, the force of gravity is determined by mass and distance, not by speed.

3. Are there any scenarios where the gravitational force may change for a spinning wheel?

There are no known scenarios where the gravitational force changes for a spinning wheel. However, in extreme circumstances such as black holes or objects moving at speeds close to the speed of light, the laws of gravity may behave differently.

4. Does the gravitational force affect the spin of a wheel?

No, the gravitational force does not affect the spin of a wheel. The force of gravity acts between the center of mass of an object and the center of mass of another object, and does not have any impact on the rotational motion of an object.

5. Can the gravitational force be manipulated by spinning a wheel?

No, the gravitational force cannot be manipulated by spinning a wheel. The force of gravity is a fundamental force of nature and cannot be altered by any human actions.

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