I'd like to approach this from a different angle. It obviously takes a long time to get Newman's flywheel to rev up to around 100 RPM. It's also true that even with a tiny torque force applied, given enough time (and minimal friction to contend with) any heavy flywheel can eventually be made to spin at impressive speeds. In this case we are told we are dealing with a 1000+ pound flywheel. IOW, a substantial amount of inertia for which applied torque must s-l-o-w-l-y work against to accelerate the flywheel.
Anyone care to give a reasonable guestimate as to how much torque (as expressed in Newton Meters) is probably being demonstrated in the turning Newman's 1000+ pound flywheel? Newman, in his google video, states at one point there's a LOT of torque being generated, but he gives no specific amount. We are left to guess. Stephen, what's the mathematical formula that would best express how much torque is likely being generated in order to speed up Newman's 1000 pound flywheel from a dead stop to say, 100 RPM in 15 minutes? Seems to me that if we knew how much torque is actually being generated it would give us a much better sense as to how much actual useful work is being applied. Seems to me that if we knew the actual amount of Newton Meters that are being generated it would make it a lot easier to figure out if the same amount of power would be effectively applied to small water pump, or a large fan. Regards, Steven Vincent Johnson www.OrionWorks.com
