Sailing Essay

975 Words2 Pages

Sailing has been around for millennia, and is considered to be one of the earliest and most environmentally friendly methods of water transport. Sailboats act as a method of transportation, exercise, and entertainment. These now more structurally developed and masterfully modeled ships have been engineered for efficiency, and these advancements have ensured durability and speed among modern sailboats. The great strength and ability of sailboats has given competitive owners the opportunity to participate in races, but generally sailboats have come to exist as more of a relaxed hobby. The expensive activity of sailing is demanding both physically and mentally, as it tests anticipative abilities and endurance. To understand the physics concepts at work in a sailboat is immensely advantageous, as it can generally improve one’s performance.
Science:
There are several physics concepts that can be used to explain how sailboats function the way they do. These include Newton’s laws and vector subtraction. The physics behind sailing are dependent upon the position of the boat and the sail relative to the wind, yet all of the physics concepts at work at any given point in time during sailing will be the same. The first position (as well as the easiest to comprehend) is downwind sailing. This immediately involves Newton’s third law, which states “for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”. This is because the sail will push back on the wind as they come in contact (action and reaction). This occurrence results in the smooth and comfortable motion of the boat in the direction of the wind, yet it will never be as quick at the wind (ie. wind decelerates, entire sailboat accelerates. Boat can never possibly achieve and sustain an...

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...e of the large boats which exist require a due to their high mass, but thankfully relatively light sailboats eliminate the need for such The only possible thing concerning sailing that may be harmful to the environment is the production of sailboats. This includes gathering materials and producing a completed sailboat.
Conclusion:
Sailing will always hold a special place in history, as it was essential for the discovery of land. Today sailing serves the completely different purpose as a mere hobby, but it will always be remembered because of it vital importance throughout history. Sailing will unquestionably exist as a hobby and sport for an unpredictably long time, allowing for the continued enjoyment of sailors and casual owners alike. Whether it’s racing for the thrill of winning or for sailing for enjoyment, it is always a pleasurable and worthwhile experience.

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