Would you survive if you was in a lift and it had failed somehow and was falling down the lift chute thing, if it hit the floor you are sure to die, what if you jump just before the lift hit the floor?
2006-09-16 01:08:40 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Since momentum is mass times velocity, the faster you’re going when you hit the ground, the more force you will feel, and the more it will hurt. If the elevator has been falling for a while, then it’s probably moving very fast. If you jump up, then you’ll change your velocity just a little bit. So you’ll be going a tiny bit slower when you hit the ground. So, technically speaking, you would probably not be hurt quite as much. But this difference would probably be so small as to not be noticeable. In particular, if you’re falling so fast as to be killed in the fall, jumping would most likely not make enough of a difference to save your life.
2006-09-16 01:14:27 · answer #1 · answered by toietmoi 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Surviving something like this is possible however unlikely. A big factor would be the height that the fall started from. Jumping right before impact has been suggested and done in the movies, but this is probably not a viable solution to the dilemma.
In order to jump before impact you would have to be able to "view" the bottom floor. Most elevators/lifts do not have a transparent floor, so it would make it increasingly difficult for you to know WHEN to jump.
Also, depending on the height of the fall, the body of the lift will distort, possibly crumpling like a can of soup being stepped on. The impact of hitting the top of the lift at the volicity you would be falling could also be fatal.
2006-09-16 08:20:05 · answer #2 · answered by T F 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In this case, i would like to say that the mythbusters did not really did a fair test.
If you scrutinise on the test where by they find the maximum speed of a human jumping, you would find that they are not jumping at the maximum velocity, a human could.
High jumper can jump higher and faster than that.
So, if you have stronger leg muscle, you might be able jump and save your life. But it varies people to people.
2006-09-16 08:25:03 · answer #3 · answered by Another Stranger 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They did this test on a show called "mythbusters". I dont remember exactly but I think the myth was busted. Meaning its not possible. You would still get all the injuries.
2006-09-16 08:13:44 · answer #4 · answered by dog_hell_red 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first how would you know when to jump up. odds are you would not make it. best bet lay flat on floor on your back. and get right with god on the way down
2006-09-16 08:23:19 · answer #5 · answered by twocrows 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have thought about that, but what are the chances of you jumping at the exact right moment.
2006-09-16 08:11:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont think you would think about jumping in that situation even if you did it wouldnt work, I do think theirs a possibility to survive that thu!!
2006-09-16 08:12:36 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A group of guys on a television show called "Mythbusters" tested that theory. They concluded that you would be seriously hurt or killed no matter what you did.
2006-09-16 08:11:46 · answer #8 · answered by lopie6 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just lie down and put your palms under your head to minimise the impact.
Good luck!
2006-09-16 10:16:42 · answer #9 · answered by dwarf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you could jump, maybe.
2006-09-16 08:11:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋