What happens to your body when rotating a seat in a rocket at high acceleration?

In summary, in this conversation, a person is asking about the physical effects of being strapped in a rocket and rotating while experiencing a constant acceleration. They mention that they have only studied physics up to treating everything as a particle and are curious about the forces their body would feel in this scenario. Another person provides a link to a similar scenario with less g force, but the original person is still curious about the rotating scenario and asks about the forces involved. The conversation ends with a reply about the continuous rolling pressure on the body during rotation.
  • #1
GotMex?
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Hey guys, this is my first post here. I found the forum because I've been thinking about a scenario and I can't figure out what would happen, and well what better place to ask about this than a place called "physicsforum.com" :D.

Ok so here it is: Imagine you are strapped to a seat inside of a rocket. This rocket's engine gives the vehicle a constant acceleration equivalent to say 4 G's. At some moment, you turn the seat around so that you go from facing forward to backward in let's say .5 seconds.

My question is, what would happen to your body in this scenario. Particularly, what kind of forces would your organs feel. I've only studied physics up to now treating everything as a particle, but clearly this doesn't work for my scenario. Thanks.
 
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  • #3
Thanks for that linkk Jeff, it was pretty interesting. However I'm still curious about this rotating scenario. What kind of forces would your body experience in such a rotating motion. Wouldn't there be a big acceleration in a short period of time as your organs go from pressing against the inside of your back to the inside of your front.
 
  • #4
Depends a lot on what kind of straps you have holding you into the seat doesn't it? While rotating, no, there wouldn't be "a short period of time as your organs gofrom pressing against the inside of your back to the inside of your front". There would be a continuous "rolling" of pressure around your body.
 

1. How does a rotating seat in a rocket work?

A rotating seat in a rocket works by using centrifugal force to counteract the effects of acceleration on the human body. As the rocket accelerates, the seat rotates, allowing the occupant to remain in a horizontal position and distributing the forces evenly throughout the body.

2. What are the benefits of a rotating seat in a rocket?

The main benefit of a rotating seat in a rocket is to reduce the impact of acceleration on the human body. This helps prevent the negative effects of high G-forces, such as loss of consciousness, muscle strain, and nausea. It also allows for a more comfortable and stable ride for the occupant.

3. How fast does the seat rotate in a rocket?

The speed at which a seat rotates in a rocket varies depending on the design and purpose of the rocket. In some cases, the seat may rotate slowly and continuously throughout the entire flight, while in others, it may only rotate during the initial stages of acceleration. The speed can range from a few rotations per minute to several rotations per second.

4. Is a rotating seat necessary in all rockets?

No, a rotating seat is not necessary in all rockets. It is most commonly used in high-speed or high-acceleration rockets, such as space shuttles and military missiles. Smaller, slower rockets may not require a rotating seat as the forces on the human body are not as significant.

5. Are there any risks associated with a rotating seat in a rocket?

While a rotating seat can greatly reduce the impact of acceleration on the human body, there are still some risks involved. If the seat malfunctions or is not designed properly, it can cause injury to the occupant. Additionally, the rotation itself can cause motion sickness or disorientation in some individuals. Proper training and safety precautions should always be taken when using a rotating seat in a rocket.

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