Monthly Physics Competition Questionnaire

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SUMMARY

This forum discussion centers around a monthly physics competition where participants answer a question to win a copy of "Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica." The question posed is about why objects fall towards the Earth, leading to various interpretations and humorous responses. Participants engage in a mix of serious and playful banter, with some attempting to provide scientific explanations while others veer off-topic. Ultimately, the competition rules are enforced, resulting in no winner due to multiple postings by participants.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gravitational forces and basic physics concepts
  • Familiarity with Newtonian physics and its limitations
  • Knowledge of philosophical implications in scientific discussions
  • Ability to interpret and analyze complex equations in physics
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  • Research the principles of gravitational force without relying on Newtonian physics
  • Explore the philosophical implications of gravity and motion in physics
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Physics enthusiasts, students of science, and anyone interested in the philosophical aspects of gravitational theory and its historical context.

AnTiFreeze3
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Each month I will be hosting a question that, if answered correctly, will result in a free book of my choice to be delivered to the winner of the competition.

This month's prize: Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica.

The question for this month is the following: Why is it that objects that are held above the ground tend to fall towards the Earth?
 
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AnTiFreeze3 said:
The question for this month is the following: Why is it that objects that are held above the ground tend to fall towards the Earth?

It is the will of Satan.
 
It's not the objects falling towards the Earth, it's the Earth falling towards the objects
 
It won't fall. You're holding it still above the ground. Kthxbai
 
PhizKid said:
It's not the objects falling towards the Earth, it's the Earth falling towards the objects

Close, but not quite. In reality, nothing falls towards each other. It is our mind that makes it seem that things are falling. Without the mind, nothing is.
 
WannabeNewton said:
It won't fall. You're holding it still above the ground. Kthxbai

I'm sorry, the answer we were looking for was

Like I would give away the answer to an ongoing competition, you ignoramus.
 
micromass said:
Close, but not quite. In reality, nothing falls towards each other. It is our mind that makes it seem that things are falling. Without the mind, nothing is.

You're getting close! Keep following this train of thought, and you might just win a new book!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
micromass said:
Is this the book that you're going to give away: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0538497815/?tag=pfamazon01-20 ? In that case: no thanks.

Oh don't worry, we here at the annual/12 competition already know that you have a copy of that book which you enjoy very much, and would never think of supplying you with a book which you already possess.

Assuming you don't have this book, then this remains our standard prize for this month.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #10
The answer is \mathcal{L}_{\boldsymbol{\psi}}(\epsilon_{abcd}\xi^{b}\nabla^{c}\xi^{d}) + 2\psi^{e}\nabla_{[a}(\epsilon_{e]fgh}\xi^{f}\nabla^{g}\xi^{h}) = 0<br />
 
  • #11
AnTiFreeze3 said:
Oh don't worry, we here at the annual/12 competition already know that you have a copy of that book which you enjoy very much, and would never think of supplying you with a book which you already possess.

Assuming you don't have this book, then this remains our standard prize for this month.

Reported for giving away crackpot books.
 
  • #12
WannabeNewton said:
The answer is \mathcal{L}_{\boldsymbol{\psi}}(\epsilon_{abcd}\xi^{b}\nabla^{c}\xi^{d}) + 2\psi^{e}\nabla_{[a}(\epsilon_{e]fgh}\xi^{f}\nabla^{g}\xi^{h}) = 0<br />

But what does that mean?
 
  • #13
micromass said:
But what does that mean?
Whatever you want it to mean young grasshopper.
 
  • #14
WannabeNewton said:
Whatever you want it to mean young grasshopper.

I see. To understand the equation, I must first become one with the equation.
 
  • #15
micromass said:
I see. To understand the equation, I must first become one with the equation.
Yeah sure whatever turns you on brah
 
  • #16
Obviously you guys didn't read the fine print for this competition: All answers to my questions, just like all of physics, are devoid of any math, because of the pure uselessness and homeliness of mathematics in general.

For this reason, WannabeNewton's answer remains, yet again, false.
 
  • #17
AnTiFreeze3 said:
Obviously you guys didn't read the fine print for this competition: All answers to my questions, just like all of physics, are devoid of any math, because of the pure uselessness and homeliness of mathematics in general.

For this reason, WannabeNewton's answer remains, yet again, false.

Can we use philosophy?
 
  • #18
AnTiFreeze3 said:
For this reason, WannabeNewton's answer remains, yet again, false.
This is tough. None of my textbooks cover this. After hours of deliberation I have, however, come upon a solution.

Kate Upton.
 
  • #19
WannabeNewton said:
This is tough. None of my textbooks cover this. After hours of deliberation I have, however, come upon a solution.

Kate Upton.

What do you find prettier:

Kate Upton

or

\mathcal{L}_{\boldsymbol{\psi}}(\epsilon_{abcd}\xi^{b}\nabla^{c}\xi^{d} ) + 2\psi^{e}\nabla_{[a}(\epsilon_{e]fgh}\xi^{f}\nabla^{g}\xi^{h}) = 0
 
  • #20
micromass said:
Can we use philosophy?

Of course.

WannabeNewton said:
This is tough. None of my textbooks cover this. After hours of deliberation I have, however, come upon a solution.

Kate Upton.

Ah, you've finally started using your brain. While Kate Upton isn't the exact answer, the units for this answer are in Kate Uptons; ie. 17 Kate Uptons, or 92 Kate Uptons.
 
  • #21
micromass said:
What do you find prettier:

Kate Upton

or

\mathcal{L}_{\boldsymbol{\psi}}(\epsilon_{abcd}\xi^{b}\nabla^{c}\xi^{d} ) + 2\psi^{e}\nabla_{[a}(\epsilon_{e]fgh}\xi^{f}\nabla^{g}\xi^{h}) = 0
Mila Kunis no question.
 
  • #22
WannabeNewton said:
Mila Kunis no question.

Enjoy then:

ieGILM9.jpg
 
  • #23
AnTiFreeze3 said:
Ah, you've finally started using your brain. While Kate Upton isn't the exact answer, the units for this answer are in Kate Uptons; ie. 17 Kate Uptons, or 92 Kate Uptons.
10 Kate Uptons per second. At least that's how it goes down in my dreams.
 
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  • #24
micromass said:
Enjoy then
Dude what the hell I was eating.
 
  • #25
Following this post, everyone will be allotted one final post in which they can post their final answer to my original question. I will review these answers and pick the one that my gut tells me has the most rightness to it.
 
  • #26
Final Answer:

Whatever happens is because AntiFreeze3 commands them to happen. He is perfection.
 
  • #27
Both objects exert gravitational forces on each other, if the person holding the object fails to provide equal and opposite force of magnitude "mg" then both objects will fall towards each other, however Earth being massive moves negligible, thus it seems to the observer as if only the object is falling down.
Was that explanation good enough?
 
  • #28
Knights of Ni. That will be all.
 
  • #29
Viru.universe said:
Both objects exert gravitational forces on each other, if the person holding the object fails to provide equal and opposite force of magnitude "mg" then both objects will fall towards each other, however Earth being massive moves negligible, thus it seems to the observer as if only the object is falling down.
Was that explanation good enough?
Needs more ##\nabla_a##
 
  • #30
Viru.universe said:
Both objects exert gravitational forces on each other, if the person holding the object fails to provide equal and opposite force of magnitude "mg" then both objects will fall towards each other, however Earth being massive moves negligible, thus it seems to the observer as if only the object is falling down.
Was that explanation good enough?

Prove that there is such thing as a gravitational force without using any Newtonian physics or descendants thereof (since Principia is the prize)
 

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