Monthly Physics Competition Questionnaire

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a monthly physics competition question regarding the phenomenon of objects falling towards the Earth. Participants explore various interpretations and explanations for this question, engaging in a mix of philosophical, conceptual, and humorous responses.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Humorous

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the reason objects fall is due to gravitational forces, with one stating that both objects exert gravitational forces on each other.
  • Others humorously propose that the phenomenon is a result of philosophical or nonsensical reasoning, such as attributing it to "the will of Satan" or claiming that "nothing falls towards each other."
  • A few participants argue that the Earth is falling towards the objects instead of the other way around.
  • One participant mentions that the perception of falling is a construct of the mind, implying a more abstract interpretation of the question.
  • There are discussions about the appropriateness of using mathematics in answers, with some asserting that all answers should be devoid of math.
  • Several humorous references are made to pop culture figures, such as Kate Upton, in the context of finding beauty rather than scientific explanations.
  • Participants express uncertainty about how to explain gravitational forces without relying on Newtonian physics, given the context of the competition.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the explanation for why objects fall towards the Earth. Multiple competing views and interpretations remain, with some participants engaging in humorous banter while others attempt to provide more serious explanations.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express limitations in their understanding of physics, particularly regarding non-Newtonian explanations of gravitational forces. The discussion also reflects a playful tone, with references to philosophical ideas and pop culture.

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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