Levitating on a bus, would you move toward the back of the bus?

  • Thread starter Thread starter bOOandYA
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Bus
AI Thread Summary
If a person levitates on a moving bus, they would remain stationary relative to the bus due to Newton's first law of motion, as they share the bus's speed. If the bus changes speed, the person would move relative to the bus, either backward or forward, depending on the direction of the speed change. The method of levitation could influence the outcome; for instance, levitating by opposing gravity would adhere to Newton's laws, while reducing mass might introduce other factors like air movement. The discussion highlights the complexities of physics in hypothetical scenarios that defy conventional laws. Ultimately, the question serves as a thought experiment rather than a practical inquiry.
bOOandYA
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
If you’re on a bus driving at a certain speed, and you could somehow levitate, not touching the ground or the chairs, would you eventually move to the back of the bus or would you stay stationary?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If you are already moving with the same speed as the bus, you would continue moving at that same speed and remain at rest relative to the bus. This is Newton's first law of motion.

If the speed of the bus changed, you would continue to travel at the original speed and move backward or forward relative to the bus- depending on whether the bus slowed down or sped up.
 
It could depend on how the levitation is accomplished. If you levitate by opposing gravity with a force then all of Newton's laws apply, you could also levitate by reducing your mass, then effects like air movements may affect your motion.
 
bOOandYA said:
If you’re on a bus driving at a certain speed, and you could somehow levitate, not touching the ground or the chairs, would you eventually move to the back of the bus or would you stay stationary?

Neither. I would move to the front so that all the passengers can see me.
 
xAxis said:
Neither. I would move to the front so that all the passengers can see me.
Hah!

bOOandYA said:
If you’re on a bus driving at a certain speed, and you could somehow levitate, not touching the ground or the chairs, would you eventually move to the back of the bus or would you stay stationary?
This is one of those "What do the laws of physics say will happen if I do something that violates the laws of physics" kind of questions. This thread is locked. Ask you question again with something that makes sense, such as a helium filled balloon.
 
comparing a flat solar panel of area 2π r² and a hemisphere of the same area, the hemispherical solar panel would only occupy the area π r² of while the flat panel would occupy an entire 2π r² of land. wouldn't the hemispherical version have the same area of panel exposed to the sun, occupy less land space and can therefore increase the number of panels one land can have fitted? this would increase the power output proportionally as well. when I searched it up I wasn't satisfied with...
Back
Top