Magic Carpet (Moscow Phys-Tech)

Once sitting in heavy traffic the Baron von Münchausen thinking of a new kind of "magic carpet" type aircraft. The top surface of the large flat panel is held at a constant temperature T₁ and the lower surface at a temperature T₂ > T₁He reasoned so as to, during collision with the hot exterior, air molecules acquire additional momentum and consequently will transfer an equal momentum to the panel.

The back of the handkerchief estimates he was able to make quickly for 1m² of such a panel showed that if T₁ = 273K and T₂ = 373  air temperature 293 K this panel would be able to levitate itself and a payload the Baron of about 10³ kg.