Centripetal force and Acceleration

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of centripetal force and acceleration experienced during spinning, particularly in relation to the experiences of pilots and astronauts in centrifuges. Participants explore the sensations of spinning, the physiological effects, and the differences between casual spinning and professional training environments.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their personal experience of spinning in a chair and feeling sick, questioning how pilots and astronauts endure such conditions.
  • Another participant identifies the "room" as a centrifuge and notes that spinning on a chair does not replicate the same sensations due to the distance from the axis of rotation.
  • Some participants mention that amusement parks also have centrifuge-like rides, suggesting they could be a way to experience similar effects.
  • A participant expresses skepticism about the duration of spinning, suggesting that the sensation of sickness could occur much sooner than the original poster experienced.
  • One participant explains that sickness is related to the inner ear's response to motion and that centrifuges are designed to minimize this effect by keeping the liquid in the inner ear stable.
  • Another participant adds that some individuals may be more prone to dizziness and that practice, such as in figure skating, can help reduce disorientation when spinning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that spinning in a centrifuge differs from casual spinning in a chair, but there are varying opinions on the specifics of how sickness is experienced and the factors that contribute to it. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best ways to mitigate sickness during spinning.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various factors influencing the experience of spinning, such as the axis of rotation, the duration of spinning, and individual differences in susceptibility to motion sickness. These aspects are not fully explored or resolved.

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This is a weird question but live with me please.

I was completing a math competition (www.comap.com)with my team today and when we finished I started wondering about that "room" airforce pilots and NASA astronauts go into. I can't remember the name of the "room" but it is where they get strapped into a seat attached to a large metallic "arm" and it spins the around in a circle (in order to test how astronauts/pilots react to G forces). So anyways, I was sitting on a chair that could spin on its axis very well (i.e. a long time without stopping due to friction (lack of force giving constant velocity)) and I decided to start spinning very fast and then to close my eyes to feel "inside" the centripetal force clinging me to the chair (excuse me if I am using words wrong, I haven't really taken Physics yet). Basically, I wanted to feel what the pilots go through in that "chamber"/"room". The first time around for like 3 mins I was fine. The second time I tried . . . I DEFINITELY FELT SICK.

I am wondering how people endure the effect of being spun around in circles at very high speeds and also I am wondering how can you spin without becoming sick.

Thx!
 
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It's called a centrifuge.

Spinning on a chair won't give you the same sensation. It is the distance from the axis of rotation which gives the 'g' force effect.
 
Most amusement parks have a centrifuge. Try it sometime.
 
I'd think that what your felt like 3 minutes was more like 30 seconds. To spin seriously around on chair could be asking for a mighty vomit. I believe I've read its quite harmful to untrained person, more than getting G's in real centrifuge.

Sickness is due to liquid in inner ear that is responsible for our up/down perception gets spit around and affects nerves in inconsistent manner. I believe its same kind of sickness as seasickness. With longarm centrifuges, you don't spin around your axis, so all that liquid is at same end of your brain, thus there is no sickness. Then come Gs.
 
while in a centrefuge i believe the circle is not great enough to become a significant sickness worry. Like you psin on the Earth but don't get sick :) o(only obviously on a much smaller scale). And besides if your traveling at 5-6G, you aint ognna have enough force to project anything :P
 
i think, as other people said, it's different, but also (to digress a little) some people are more likely to feel sick when they spin around, and i think you can sort of practice it too. I'm in figure skating, and i don't think i get as dizzy and disoriented as i used to when i spin around:smile:
 

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