Anyone here understands how a [overhead fan works?]

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In summary, if a standard overhead fan suddenly speeds up to 90% the speed of light, it would not have any noticeable effect on the air flow in the room. However, the fan blades would likely disintegrate due to induced fusion, causing potential harm to the surroundings. For more information on similar questions, you can check out the website "What If" by xkcd.
  • #1
Meggriffin
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Ello, does anyone here understand how a standard overhead fan and air flow works? If so, what would happen if you're just chilling in your room with the door closed,windows shut and fan off, then the fan just speeds up to around90% thespeed of light for a second. Would that kill me, suck me through the roof/force me through the ground? Just wondering.
 
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  • #2
Probably.
 
  • #3
"0.9 c?" Nothing --- the air in the room would "see" the volume swept by the fan as a solid circular plate.
 
  • #4
What if is a great site answering these sorts of questions. This one will give you an idea what an everyday object would do close to c;
https://what-if.xkcd.com/1/
 
  • #5
billy_joule said:
What if is a great site answering these sorts of questions. This one will give you an idea what an everyday object would do close to c;
https://what-if.xkcd.com/1/
In addition, we could ask how the fan blades could stay attached to the fan long enough. Induced fusion is enough to evaporate the whole building in either case, but if we start with a few blades moving at up to 90% the speed of light we get several plasma clouds moving in different directions!

To get an effect on air flow alone, we have to keep the speed more realistic (of the order of the speed of sound).
 

Related to Anyone here understands how a [overhead fan works?]

1. How does an overhead fan work?

An overhead fan works by rotating its blades, which creates air movement that helps to circulate and cool the air in a room. The rotation of the blades also creates a wind chill effect, making the room feel cooler.

2. What powers an overhead fan?

An overhead fan is typically powered by electricity. It is connected to a ceiling fan box, which is wired to a switch on the wall. When the switch is turned on, the electricity flows to the fan motor, causing the blades to rotate.

3. How do you control the speed of an overhead fan?

An overhead fan usually has a pull chain or remote control that allows you to adjust the speed of the blades. The fan motor has multiple speed settings, which determine how quickly the blades rotate and the amount of air movement in the room.

4. What is the purpose of an overhead fan's direction switch?

The direction switch on an overhead fan allows you to change the direction of the blades' rotation. In the summer, the blades should rotate counterclockwise, creating a downward airflow that cools the room. In the winter, the blades should rotate clockwise, pushing warm air down from the ceiling.

5. Can an overhead fan be used in place of an air conditioner?

An overhead fan can be used as a supplement to an air conditioner, but it cannot replace it. While a fan can help to circulate and cool the air in a room, it does not actually lower the temperature. An air conditioner, on the other hand, actively cools the air by removing heat and humidity.

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