- #31
djh101
- 158
- 5
I like how Mythbusters goes through the effort of testing myths that could easily be busted just by writing a few equations on a whiteboard.
If you had to jump from very high, what would you use as a parachute?
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The discussion revolves around hypothetical scenarios of jumping from a height and what objects could be used to slow descent or cushion a fall. Participants humorously suggest various items like curtains, blankets, jackets, and even chickens, while acknowledging that these would likely be ineffective. There is a consensus that a parachute is the best option, with some sharing personal anecdotes about failed attempts at makeshift parachutes. The conversation touches on the idea of using large, flat objects like doors or chairs, but skepticism remains about their effectiveness. Some participants reference survival stories and physics principles, debating the merits of different strategies for surviving a fall. Overall, the tone is light-hearted, with a mix of humor and serious considerations about fall survival techniques.
- #32
jobyts
- 226
- 60
In fact, when you are close to the ground, throwing the chair to the ground with all the force helps by a tiny bit. (by the third law)
- #33
jobyts
- 226
- 60
I think I have a strategy here. Please let me know if this will work at least theoretically.
Hold a heavy metal ball (preferably as heavy as you), like the one used in hammer throw. While you fall down, keep it rotating vertically, such a way that the upward swing of the metal ball is barely enough to make a full rotation, the downward part is as fast as you can, so that you go upwards.
When you are close to the ground, the ball hits the ground first, and you are in the top position.
Hold a heavy metal ball (preferably as heavy as you), like the one used in hammer throw. While you fall down, keep it rotating vertically, such a way that the upward swing of the metal ball is barely enough to make a full rotation, the downward part is as fast as you can, so that you go upwards.
When you are close to the ground, the ball hits the ground first, and you are in the top position.
- #34
djh101
- 158
- 5
Assume you aren't moving and find out how much your velocity would change in that scenario. Then subtract it from how fast you will be going right before you hit the ground. Jumping directly off of the ground is about as much force as you will get to propel yourself from your body alone, and that will get you going... 5m/s? So that should take you from 100m/s to 95m/s when falling.
By conservation of linear momentum, jumping off of a non-moving body (the earth) will give an upper bound of propulsive velocity. Since the chair or shotput are changing their velocity as well, your change in velocity will be less.
By conservation of linear momentum, jumping off of a non-moving body (the earth) will give an upper bound of propulsive velocity. Since the chair or shotput are changing their velocity as well, your change in velocity will be less.
- #35
tridianprime
- 102
- 3
A smoking jacket and pipe. So I could die in style
- #36
consciousness
- 132
- 13
An RPG launcher. Fire it down and hopefully the recoil will save me if I time it properly 
I might die from the blast though.
I might die from the blast though.
- #37
tridianprime
- 102
- 3
consciousness said:An RPG launcher. Fire it down and hopefully the recoil will save me if I time it properly
I might die from the blast though.
Hmmm, let me think about this.
*four years and a PhD later*
...it wouldn't work!