Artificial gravity ship: Floor?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of artificial gravity generated by a rotating circular ship, where centripetal acceleration mimics Earth's gravitational pull. Participants clarify that the centripetal force, provided by the ship's floor, prevents occupants from floating away, while centrifugal force is perceived by those inside. Key points include the necessity of a surface to maintain circular motion and the distinction between gravitational forces on Earth and those in a space station. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding inertia and the dynamics of motion in a rotating frame.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of centripetal and centrifugal forces
  • Familiarity with Newton's laws of motion
  • Basic knowledge of circular motion dynamics
  • Concept of inertia in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the mathematics of centripetal acceleration and its applications in rotating systems
  • Study the effects of inertia in non-inertial reference frames
  • Investigate the differences between gravitational forces on Earth and artificial gravity in space stations
  • Learn about the design principles of rotating space habitats for long-term human habitation
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, aerospace engineers, and anyone interested in the principles of artificial gravity and motion dynamics in rotating systems.

  • #31
eroxore said:
So if one were to jump "really hard", would that enable one to land on a different spot than the one you jumped off from?

Yes, because the higher your jump and the longer you spend in the air traveling a straight line while your jumping-off point is following the curved path, the less accurate the small-angle approximation becomes.

Something similar happens when you jump on the curved surface of the earth. You don't notice or worry about the rotation and curvature of the Earth when you make a normal human-sized jump. But if you're aiming very long-range artillery (the artillery shell is "jumping" many kilometers and spending an appreciable time in flight) you do.
 
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  • #32
eroxore said:
So if one were to jump "really hard", would that enable one to land on a different spot than the one you jumped off from?

However high you jump there is a difference between your traveled distance and how far the floor has traveled by the time you land. The difference is increasingly relevant, the higher you jump.
 

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