Electric Generator in space .

[Roger Dynamic Motion]

We know an electric generator on earth generate electricity . What if the same one is placed in space where there is no air and no gravitational force. will it generate the same amount of electricity ?

[KipIngram]

Of course. If you haul out relativity and all that stuff there might be some tiny Nth order effect that changes it slightly, but to first order the electricity produced by a generator has nothing to do with air or gravity.

[Roger Dynamic Motion]

Of course. If you haul out relativity and all that stuff there might be some tiny Nth order effect that changes it slightly, but to first order the electricity produced by a generator has nothing to do with air or gravity.

How do you know ? has the experience ever been done?

[swansont]

Of course. If you haul out relativity and all that stuff there might be some tiny Nth order effect that changes it slightly, but to first order the electricity produced by a generator has nothing to do with air or gravity.

 

 

It has a little to do with air, since air cools things. Electronics tends to get hot in space.

 

Also, some generators require air to run — gasoline or diesel powered ones, for example.

[EdEarl]

How do you know ? has the experience ever been done?

An engineer or physicist who understands how an electric generator works, also understands it is not significantly affected by gravity, velocity, or vacuum. If you meant an engine-generator set, instead of only an electric generator, then vacuum would prevent an engine from running since engines need oxygen from air to burn fuel, including alcohol, diesel, and gasoline. Rocket engines need both oxidizer and fuel, which are carried on the rocket.

 

One could make an engine-generator to operate in space by using a rocket to heat water to steam, a steam engine to convert heat into mechanical rotation, and use the rotation of an axle to drive a generator, that will produce electricity. This system would be heavy and impractical. Instead, NASA uses solar panels or a thermal electric generator powered by a radioactive isotope to generate electricity for space probes and landers.

[KipIngram]

Oh, good points. I was assuming we were stating from a spinning generator.

[Roger Dynamic Motion]

Oh, good points. I was assuming we were stating from a spinning generator.

It is a spinning generator ._assuming it is spinning Neglecting the power source to make it spin/

will it generate the same amount of electricity ? versus earth/

Edited June 13, 2017 by Roger Dynamic Motion

[KipIngram]

Yes. As I said you might be able to show some very very tiny relativistic effect - I haven't investigated. But for all practical purposes it's simply the motion of conductors in a magnetic field that produces the emf that causes current flow.