2006-10-19 15:06:31 · 17 answers · asked by Sam 72 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
The flag is hanging from a crossbar which was designed to hold the flag open for display. Therefore it swings like a pendulum. In an atmosphere, such pendulum swings of a light object like cloth will quickly by damped by the air. But on the airless moon, there is nothing to dampen the oscillations.
2006-10-19 15:11:54 · answer #1 · answered by Keith P 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If the flag didn't ripple, then *that* would be evidence that the moon landings were faked.
The astronauts had a hard time getting the flag pole into the ground, because the ground is solid rock covered with several inches of pulverized rock, and nothing like soil on Earth. The had to struggle and futz with it for a while. During all that futzing (which included vibrating and twisting) the flag waved around a lot. Inertia kept it moving even after they stopped futzing with the pole. On Earth on a perfectly still day, the motion of the flag would have quickly damped out due to our atmosphere. But since there's no atmosphere on the Moon, it took longer for the motion to dampen out - the only friction to damp out the motion was the friction within the fabric of the flag. If it was filmed on Earth, there woulndn't be any motion!
2006-10-19 15:29:27 · answer #2 · answered by kris 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The American flag was artificially supported with a horizontal telescoping rod. The rod didn't deploy completely, leaving the flag having a slight "ripple" affect.
Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong reported that they couldn't get the flagpole more than 6 inches or so into the ground, so the flag was unsteady to begin with and the photos show it slightly tilted.
It was probably knocked over by the blast from the engines as the module took off.
2006-10-19 15:15:05 · answer #3 · answered by Prof. Cochise 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's amazing that this waving-flag-on-the-moon thing is used by the loonies who think the manned landings were faked to prove their nonsense. The flag was NOT waving! The solar wind has NOTHING to do with it either. The flag had thin plastic strips embedded in it that held the stars and stripes upright, thereby giving the impression that the flag was waving.
2006-10-19 15:17:56 · answer #4 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Solar wind but not only that because the moon makes everything lighter so its easier for the flag to move.
2006-10-21 03:11:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those who can reach the moon can make a flag that could wave in a place that has no atmosphere,, The nasa reached Mars and you are implying that the man didnt walk on the moon,, The whole world watched the man walk on the moon live ..
2006-10-19 15:12:56 · answer #6 · answered by Astarte 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Because even the moon has gravity, which will pull it down, as for it being fake, GET A GRIP MAN, the simple fact that the hammer and the feather experiment worked in those conditions is enough to prove it.
2006-10-19 15:09:36 · answer #7 · answered by Archangel 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm emailing Yahoo for an Answer's category called "Conspiracy Theories". Will you sign my petition?
And to your actual question, I don't pretend to know enough about science to even attempt an answer.
I just believe they landed there because I want to.
2006-10-19 15:16:50 · answer #8 · answered by Yellowstonedogs 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wrong question.
The flag does not move, because there is no wind, because there is no air.
Th
2006-10-19 19:12:30 · answer #9 · answered by Thermo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That was a set up americans did.
On the moon there's no air! no flag can wave there !
2006-10-19 15:14:22 · answer #10 · answered by Rose 3 · 0⤊ 6⤋