Man Proposes in Zero Gravity: Freefalling in Love

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A recent proposal in zero gravity has sparked discussions about the nature of weightlessness. The event, which gained media attention, involved a couple experiencing a simulated zero-gravity environment during their engagement. Some participants in the discussion criticized the portrayal of the experience as "zero gravity," arguing it should be labeled as "simulated." However, others defended the term, explaining that during freefall in a plane, individuals do indeed experience true weightlessness, akin to astronauts in orbit. This debate highlights a broader interest in the concept of gravity and weightlessness, with references to Stephen Hawking's recent zero-gravity experience adding to the context. Overall, the conversation reflects a mix of admiration for the romantic gesture and a technical discussion about the physics involved.
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"Man Proposes to Girlfriend in Zero Gravity"
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,270505,00.html
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05062007/news/regionalnews/over_the_moon_regionalnews_jennifer_gould_keil.htm
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05062007/photos/news007b.jpg

It looks like "Zero Gravity" has gotten some buzz lately.
Recently, Stephen Hawking was on a ride recently
https://www.physicsforums.com/blog/2007/04/27/hawking-in-zero-g/
http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/images//small/07pd0958-s.jpg
 
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Physics news on Phys.org
robphy said:
"Man Proposes to Girlfriend in Zero Gravity"
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,270505,00.html
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05062007/news/regionalnews/over_the_moon_regionalnews_jennifer_gould_keil.htm
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05062007/photos/news007b.jpg

Yet another proof of the fact that idiotism is endless.

Then again, if they are going to live happily ever after, so am I. :-p
 
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radou said:
Yet another proof of the fact that idiotism is endless.

How is this idiotic?
 
Its not zero gravity, but whatever. Its just to get the point across to the general public. It should say "simulated" zero gravity, but that's just being nit picky for no reason.
 
moose said:
How is this idiotic?

Only my opinion. :smile:

cyrusabdollahi said:
Its not zero gravity, but whatever. Its just to get the point across to the general public. It should say "simulated" zero gravity, but that's just being nit picky for no reason.

I bet they're being held by thin strings.

Speaking of strings, I wonder if there are bungee-jumping weddings.
 
Its not zero gravity, but whatever. Its just to get the point across to the general public. It should say "simulated" zero gravity, but that's just being nit picky for no reason.

Excuse me, but I have to correct your correction.

The people in the freefalling plane (as these two were) are definitely experiencing zero gravity, there is nothing simulated about it.

But, you say, according to Newton's law of gravitation they are experiencing a force, and they are falling towards the earth. But what is the difference when astronaughts orbit the earth? Every piece of matter in the universe feels the force of the Earth's pull, nothing is free of this force.

But this was Einstein's insight: a freefalling observer does not feel their own weight. They are weightless. Gravitational acceleration is not the result of a force, it is the result of the absence of forces (indeed 'your weight' as you feel it is a force from the floor pushing you up!) and when this occurs an object moves along 'a straight line' in spacetime.
 

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