I have a question for yall
I have a question for yall. Many times when I get on the bus I swipe my bus card and then the bus starts to move, and I have trouble wlaking down the aisle to find a seat. Now the bus itself is moving around 40 mph or so and I am having trouble walking down the aisle. Yet, the Earth itself is moving much faster then then 40 mph as we speak, and I have no trouble walking down the street. Why is this? Is it becuase the Earth's movement is that which I am used to and thus perceived as no movement on my part or, is it that the bus is traveling unevenly(starting and stopping frequently) and if it traveled consisitently at a given speed we would have no trouble walking in the bus. I am really curious about this, so I would like to hear your thoughts on this issue.
3 Comments:
I think it's because of both of the reasons you gave. You've been on the Earth your whole life, and are traveling as fast as it is. If you jumped off Highrise at the same time as someone threw a pumpkin off the roof, you'd be falling right next to the pumpkin and wouldn't perceive any motion on its part.
Notice that, unless there's turbulence, you don't have a lot of trouble walking down the aisle of an airplane. Airplanes go a lot faster than buses do, but they're usually traveling at a constant speed, so you can adjust yourself to the speed.
I think the Earth's gravitational pull on you is a factor, too. But it's been years since physics class, so I've forgotten. Hope this helps.
I think it's because of both of the reasons you gave. You've been on the Earth your whole life, and are traveling as fast as it is. If you jumped off Highrise at the same time as someone threw a pumpkin off the roof, you'd be falling right next to the pumpkin and wouldn't perceive any motion on its part.
Notice that, unless there's turbulence, you don't have a lot of trouble walking down the aisle of an airplane. Airplanes go a lot faster than buses do, but they're usually traveling at a constant speed, so you can adjust yourself to the speed.
I think the Earth's gravitational pull on you is a factor, too. But it's been years since physics class, so I've forgotten. Hope this helps.
- Chris
Its the acceleration of the bus. The earth is not accelerating (that fast) in its circular orbit. The centripital force is not great (our motion around the sun) since it takes 365 days to complete it.
However the bus is more than enough force. If the bus remained at a constant velocity (eg. 0 mph or whatever) you would have no trouble finding a seat. Unless the bus is full.
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