Will Running Increase Spit-Distance? Experimenting with Physics!

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SUMMARY

The discussion confirms that running before spitting increases the distance the spit travels due to the combined velocities of the runner and the spit. The physics principle at play is that the spit retains the horizontal velocity of the runner, thus enhancing its travel distance. This conclusion is supported by comparisons to common physics problems involving motion and velocity. The effect is observable from a stationary observer's perspective, although the spit does not travel farther from the runner themselves if they continue moving.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of physics concepts such as velocity and motion.
  • Familiarity with elementary physics problems involving projectile motion.
  • Knowledge of how energy transfer works in physical actions.
  • Understanding of relative motion and reference frames.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of projectile motion in physics.
  • Explore the concept of relative velocity and its applications.
  • Investigate energy transfer during physical actions and its effects.
  • Study common physics experiments that demonstrate motion and velocity.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of motion and energy transfer in everyday scenarios.

Barfolumu
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Inspired by http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23696646-13762,00.html" .

Would running before you spit increase the distance your spit travels? I figure, most of the energy comes from your mouth, and you'd probably stop at the end of your run, so would a "running start" increase the distance?
 
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I would say that it increases the distance, assuming that you spit first and then stop running. The reason is that the spit inside you already has the speed of your moving and when you spit you add to that speed. So by the time the spit hits the ground (which is independent of horizontal velocity, so same in both running and non running cases), it has traveled further.

Think of it as pushing a barrel of a tall building vs pushing a barrel of a moving air-plane. Both of them seem to me be very common elementary physics problems, so I'm guessing you have come across them before. :)
 
Yes, it would increase the distance. This would be true whether you stop when you spit, or keep going. But of course, if you keep going, it will only increase the distance as measured by a stationary observer, your spit will not travel farther from you (indeed, it will not travel as far from yourself, as you would create a slight headwind by running.
 

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