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Thread ID: 69274 2006-05-27 12:28:00 In Honour Of The Airplane... The Brick! Erayd (23) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
458312 2006-05-27 12:28:00 After re-reading the airplane thread (all 19 pages), let's try another one:

The Situation:
Imagine you are standing in a room holding a brick at about chest height. The brick has several holes drilled through it. Attached to the ceiling above you is a magical device that pulls the brick upwards. The force exerted by this device can change - it will always exactly equal the force that gravity exerts on the brick.

The Question:
You let go of the brick, at the same time giving it a very slight push downwards. What will happen to the brick?
Erayd (23)
458313 2006-05-27 12:46:00 It won't fly. :D Greg (193)
458314 2006-05-27 13:37:00 No it won't fly, but then that's not what bricks were designed for. Following the same logic, you can's build a house out of airplanes (at least not a normal one). Erayd (23)
458315 2006-05-27 13:40:00 it will move to the floor, it will do this a one almost constant speed. robsonde (120)
458316 2006-05-27 13:53:00 it will move to the floor, it will do this a one almost constant speed.

True. Gravity and the mysterious force will "cancel" each other, so the momentum imparted by the slight push will cause the brick to move downwards at constant speed (ignoring things like air friction, the floor, etc).
vinref (6194)
458317 2006-05-27 23:16:00 Never mind all that- can I buy one of those magical devices so that I don't keep dropping my coffee cup? Shortcircuit (1666)
458318 2006-05-28 00:02:00 True. Gravity and the mysterious force will "cancel" each other, so the momentum imparted by the slight push will cause the brick to move downwards at constant speed (ignoring things like air friction, the floor, etc).
Yes but will it bounce
Morgenmuffel (187)
458319 2006-05-28 01:20:00 Following the same logic, you can's build a house out of airplanes (at least not a normal one).John and Yoko would've disagreed.

(assuming by your "can's" you meant "can't")
Greg (193)
458320 2006-05-28 01:28:00 Never mind all that- can I buy one of those magical devices so that I don't keep dropping my coffee cup?Apply here (www.popularmechanics.com). Erayd (23)
458321 2006-05-28 01:56:00 Their mock-up is not very stylie... and I'm not sure that I'd want to drink my coffee at -400 degrees from on top of a 4 foot tall tube. Still, it might make a nice plant stand :rolleyes: Shortcircuit (1666)
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