The discussion centers on the physics of air movement when a puff of air is expelled from the mouth. It establishes that the maximum speed of the air occurs at the lips, diminishing rapidly due to air resistance as it moves away. The phenomenon is explained through the interaction of the expelled air with stationary air, which creates a cascading effect that reduces velocity. The conversation also draws a parallel to rocket engines, highlighting the difference in air movement experienced at various distances from the source.
PREREQUISITESPhysics students, engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of airflow and its practical applications in aerodynamics and propulsion systems.
In the confined space of the small tunnel made by your lips, all of the air is moving rapidly. But when it exits your lips it runs into stationary air and pushes it out of the way. But then this air runs into even more stationary air and pushes it away. Which runs into even more stationary air...etc etc etc. On top of this, the air that's pushed out of the way is replaced by slow moving air coming in from behind, which itself then has to be pushed out of the way by your breath. The end result is that your breath only has a small distance in which it retains any significant velocity.jhan said:
I throw in the towel when it comes to anything beyond basic calculus, of which fluid mechanics definitely is beyond.jhan said:
The physics of a towel thrown through the air as it gradually opens up must be quite complicated, I imagine.Drakkith said:
