A person who weighs 150 lbs at 1 G will actually weigh 450 lbs at 3 G’s – no kidding!Īs you may expect, our body’s physiology will both be affected by and respond to this novel variability in G forces. Magnitudes of this value are expressed numerically and therefore ‘pulling 3 G’s’ is equivalent to experiencing 3 times the normal gravitational force. During powered flight, however, it is possible to experience both more or less than this 1G constant. For simplicity, let’s call this standard gravitational force of earth (9.82 m/s 2) 1G. The human body, much like the rest of life on earth, has adapted to a terrestrial life in which we are always exposed to the gravitational force of Earth (g). When the lift of an aircraft is greater than the force of gravity, controlled flight becomes possible as the Wright Brothers demonstrated to the world in 1903. Gravitational force is the reason why objects drop to the surface of the earth, and is also the force that an aircraft’s airfoils must contend with to create lift. For example, gravity on the moon (a much less massive object than earth) is only 1.62 m/s 2. It is important to note that in accordance with Newton’s Second Law of Motion, F = ma, gravitational force is intimately tied to an object’s mass and varies in direct proportion to this value. This force has been calculated to be approximately 9.82 m/s 2, and is often called ‘g’, as you likely recall from high school physics class. On and near the planet Earth, the gravitational force of our planet is so great due to Earth’s large mass that all other gravitational forces are essentially negligible. All objects exert a gravitational force over one another and this force is unique because it can act over very large distances. This means that it acts on objects to change their rates of velocity. Let us take a closer look at exactly what the force of gravity is and how it affects the human body, both on the ground and during flight. The multitude of satellites currently orbiting our planet provide a constant reminder of the accuracy and applicability of Newton’s Laws. The fact that heavier-than-air aircraft can travel with intention to and from various points on earth, suspended in the Earth’s atmosphere demonstrates our current understanding and manipulation of gravitational forces. The basis of these laws and our current understanding of Newtonian gravity are integral to many technologies today. The development of Newton’s three laws of motion further explained the general behavior of forces and more specifically the way in which gravity behaves. …and so it was that the mysterious force of gravity was revealed to Isaac Newton and the human mind for the first time.įrom observing and contemplating that everyday occurrence of a ripened apple falling from a tree, the young Isaac Newton began to understand (and later to mathematically demonstrate) one of the four fundamental forces of nature. Why should that apple always descend perpendicularly to the ground, thought he to himself.” 1 It was occasion’d by the fall of an apple, as he sat in contemplative mood. “ After dinner, the weather being warm, we went into the garden and drank thea, under the shade of some apple trees…he told me, he was just in the same situation, as when formerly, the notion of gravitation came into his mind.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |