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LANDSAILING - THE APPLICATION OF THE SCIENCE OF PHYSICS - PART I “…Science is simply common sense at its best – that is, rigidly accurate in observation and merciless to fallacy in logic…” - T. H. Huxley Prologue: It is a fine spring evening and you are standing on
the banks of a big lake. You are amazed. It is a clear day. The wind is
blowing from northeast to southwest. You see a hundreds of boats sailing
in every direction possible. How is that? You ask yourself in the same
vein, as a bowler would have vociferously appealed to the umpire for a
leg before decision in cricket! What makes it possible? Then it dawns on
you that it depends on the way you set your sails! And that is decided
by the Sailor! There lies the secret of windsailing – whether it is on
water or land! Science of Physics: Windsailing whether it is on water or land, is
based on the theories and principles of physics. Let us consider some of
the theories and principles of physics that has a direct bearing on the
principles of sailing. Ø
Laws of Motion: The relationship between
motion and its cause is known as “Dynamics”. The cause or
force is the speed of wind and motion is the resultant movement of the
land sailing yacht. It should be 15˚
and 25˚ for a smooth and quick acceleration. Ø
Particle Dynamics: It is the study of
relation between the force and effect it produces particularly on
motions is known as particle dynamics. The force is wind and the effect
it produces on yacht is motion. [Continued in the next article on this
site]
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