Dynamo question...

[LazerFazer]

Hi all,

 

I was just wondering if using a dynamo on a bike wheel, for example, would make it more difficult for the biker to move a certain distance. Basically my thoughts are that you are using chemical energy in your body, converting that into mechanical energy to make the bike move, and then the dynamo is converting some of that mechanical energy into electrical energy. So would that mean that the biker has to do more work to move the same amount of distance with a dynamo attached as opposed to without one?

 

Thanks,

LF

[Gypsy Cake]

Basically yes. For the dynamo to work it must have extra energy put into moving the bike.

 

However, whether the cyclist has to put that in is another matter; if they were mainly travelling downhill and not pedalling, energy would be transferred from the GPE I think.

[YT2095]

it would indeed require more energy, not least of all because it`s extra weight also, although a Dynamo without a load (you`re not taking power) is easier to turn than when under a load.