# Physics Question: Fan + Sailboat? **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [May 8, 2009, 11:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503 "2009-05-08T11:47:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zong](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/zong/32/7580_2.png) [@Zong](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Zong)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 11:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/1 "2009-05-08T11:47:37Z")
A sailboat is standing in still water. There is a fan on board the sailboat. The fan blows into the sail. The sail catches the wind generated by the fan. The fan is made by Maytag. The question is: Will the sailboat move forward or not? ---
**Author:** ![Minglor](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/minglor/32/7373_2.png) [@Minglor](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Minglor)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 11:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/2 "2009-05-08T11:48:21Z")
the plane takes off. ---
**Author:** ![Geoff](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/geoff/32/6104_2.png) [@Geoff](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Geoff)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 11:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/3 "2009-05-08T11:48:35Z")
No. Newton’s 3rd law. The wind must be outside the boat. Unless you have the fan facing backwards, then she’ll go forward. ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 11:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/4 "2009-05-08T11:48:53Z")
I will ban anyone who seriously answers incorrectly. ---
**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 11:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/5 "2009-05-08T11:48:54Z")
Well since it’s a Maytag fan… This should be good. lol I’m gonna sit back for a bit on this one. ---
**Author:** ![Pass\_McGass](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/pass_mcgass/32/7616_2.png) [@Pass\_McGass](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Pass_McGass)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 11:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/6 "2009-05-08T11:50:54Z")
> [@Fry](#): > > I will ban anyone who seriously answers incorrectly. So what’s your answer? ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 11:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/7 "2009-05-08T11:54:46Z")
No, the extension cord will hold you in place. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Zong](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/zong/32/7580_2.png) [@Zong](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Zong)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 11:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/8 "2009-05-08T11:55:02Z")
I think the sailboat would decelerate. ---
**Author:** ![cougarspeed](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cougarspeed/32/7468_2.png) [@cougarspeed](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cougarspeed)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 11:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/9 "2009-05-08T11:55:02Z")
Is the water moving at any given rate of speed? I need to know all of the variables. What is the temperature? How many people are on the sail boat? ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 11:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/10 "2009-05-08T11:55:04Z")
> [@Pass McGass](#): > > So what’s your answer? I throw the fan overboard so it doesn’t blow my beer over. ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 11:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/11 "2009-05-08T11:55:32Z")
> [@Blue Eyed Devil](#): > > No, the extension cord will hold you in place. 😉 LOL I like your creativity. +10 points ---
**Author:** ![Geoff](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/geoff/32/6104_2.png) [@Geoff](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Geoff)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 11:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/12 "2009-05-08T11:55:49Z")
> [@Zong](#): > > decelerate. 🖕 ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 11:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/13 "2009-05-08T11:58:14Z")
> [@Blue Eyed Devil](#): > > No, the extension cord will hold you in place. 😉 Best answer by far. ---
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 11:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/14 "2009-05-08T11:58:44Z")
Hahah, subscribed. ---
**Author:** ![Geehee](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/geehee/32/7238_2.png) [@Geehee](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Geehee)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 12:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/15 "2009-05-08T12:00:33Z")
> [@cougarspeed](#): > > Is the water moving at any given rate of speed? I need to know all of the variables. What is the temperature? How many people are on the sail boat? How much beer is in the cooler? What temperature is the beer? How much ice is in there? What brand? Bottles or cans? ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 12:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/16 "2009-05-08T12:02:22Z")
Won’t do shit It’s like standing on a bike and pushing on the handlebars. It needs to be an external force. ---
**Author:** ![OfficerK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4da419/32.png) [@OfficerK](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/OfficerK)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 12:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/17 "2009-05-08T12:03:51Z")
how big of a vacuum does the fan make behind it? :lol: ---
**Author:** ![snowracer101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@snowracer101](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/snowracer101)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 12:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/18 "2009-05-08T12:05:36Z")
> [@boardjnky4](#): > > Won’t do shit > > It’s like standing on a bike and pushing on the handlebars. It needs to be an external force. srsly? ---
**Author:** ![tpgsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tpgsr/32/7374_2.png) [@tpgsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/tpgsr)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 12:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/19 "2009-05-08T12:06:57Z")
Fuck the sail ![http://static.flickr.com/32/89859618_833d73cdf0.jpg](http://static.flickr.com/32/89859618_833d73cdf0.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Jskrapper](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jskrapper/32/7570_2.png) [@Jskrapper](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jskrapper)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 12:07pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503/20 "2009-05-08T12:07:34Z")
I can’t belive no one said the plane will take off. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/physics-question-fan-sailboat/67503.md?page=2)