Why Does Running in the Rain Get You More Wet?

AI Thread Summary
Running in the rain increases wetness due to the concept of relative velocity, where the horizontal motion of the runner intersects with the vertical fall of raindrops. When standing still under an umbrella, the rain falls straight down, allowing for relative dryness. However, as one runs, the legs move into the path of falling rain, resulting in increased exposure. This phenomenon can be explained using vector analysis, where the horizontal and vertical velocities combine to determine the total impact of rain on the runner. Understanding these physics principles clarifies why running in the rain leads to getting wetter.
fattydq
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If you stand motionless under an umbrella in a rainstorm where the drops fall vertically, you remain relatively dry. However, if you start running, the rain begins to hit your legs even if they remain under the umbrella. Why?Now I know the answer, it's because when you run horizontally, your legs hit the drops that are currently at your knees because they're moving perfectly vertically. But I don't know how to put this into physics terms, it just seems like common sense to me?

Is it just the vectors will meet, since one is pointing horizontally and another vertically, and they will meet at the same place?
 
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hI fattydq! :wink:

it's all about relative velocity …

draw a vector triangle :smile:​
 

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