Is it possible to make a revolution of 360 degrees and not return to the starting point?

Answer 1

You can be standing still, and still not be at the same starting point from one moment to the next. Not only is the earth hurtling through space at about 67,000 mph around the sun, the earth is rotating at .5 km per second, our solar system is traveling around the Milky Way Galaxy at 250 km per second, and finally the Milky Way Galaxy is traveling at 300 km per second.

So to answer your question, you could do 360 degrees all day long or just stand there, you'd still not be at the exact spot in space that you were a second ago.

Answer 2

If you are maintaining a constant radius, then by the strictest definition, no it is not possible.

A 'degree' is a measurement of a PLANE ANGLE. So if you are making your revolution in anything other than a plane, you cannot measure it in degrees at all. Also, by definition, 360 degrees make a complete revolution. So even non-Euclidean planes have circles with 360 degrees exactly.

Though I will give kudos to spiral-answerers for thinking outside of the box.

Of course, if you vary your radius, then you may end up at any point that lies on the ray that passes through the centre of the circle and your origin point.

Answer 3

I think it depends on what you meant by "Starting point" Conceivably, if you were able to walk across the earth in a straight line (and of course if there were no oceans), it would tak e you many, many years to walk that distance. It may take you so long, that the starting point may not even look the same when you got there.

So yes, if you travel 360 degrees you would end up at your starting point, but the starting point may appear to be different given the rigors of space and time.

Answer 4

Since you're on the earth and the earth is moving through space at a fantastic rate anyway it is actually NOT ever possible to rotate 360 degrees and return to the starting point.

Answer 5

When someone falls overboard, a ship might do a 360 circle , but if there is a current and / or wind, they will not return to the starting point without further correction.

Answer 6

Yes, in at least two ways:

If you change your radius while turning, you could arrive inside or outside of your point of origin.

If you change your angle (ie going up or down while turning) you would spiral, and arrive at a point above or below your starting point. This is problematic, though, since once you leave your original plane you are not strictly turning by degrees. Fine point.

Answer 7

No, that would be the definition of 360

Answer 8

if you are moving in any direction at the same time that you are changing your orientation, yes. also if some of those 365 degrees are used for changing direction up or down you can end up oriented slightly different from your starting orientation

Answer 9

not that i know of because 360 degrees always takes you in a complete circle

Answer 10

Yes. This happens every time you climb a spiral staircase.