Suspending myself in midair? If so, why not?
2007-01-23 01:31:15 · 6 answers · asked by Sir Alex Awesome Valentine, Esq. 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
This is one of those statements that sounds almost logical until you give it a thought or two.
There's an old saying that you you can't lift your self up by your bootstraps - and it's true.
In order to lift any weight, an equal and opposite force must be present - in other words, the total weight present on the surface (floor, ground...) must stay the same. You weigh 225 lbs and you lift 250 lbs, the total weight on the surface remains the same - 475 lbs. - whether you lift it or not.
If you were to levitate, the weight on the surface would necessarily have to be zero - and that won't happen, at least in reality.
2007-01-23 02:37:14 · answer #1 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you cant. because all that you can do is apply a great enough force to move an object which has a weight of 250 pounds away from the earth. but in order to do this you must apply the same force against the earth (Newtons Third Law). so if you're sat on the chair while you try to lift it then you're not applying the force against the earth and wont be able to lift yourself. you might break the chair though......
2007-01-23 02:14:31 · answer #2 · answered by kizerking 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the gravitational force will pull you towards the ground
2007-01-23 01:36:00 · answer #3 · answered by pigley 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to wear a truss.
2007-01-23 01:38:50 · answer #4 · answered by Johnny Corndrink 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
New way of hanging your self.
2007-01-23 02:03:07 · answer #5 · answered by Mikhil M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Non sequitur. Look it up.
2007-01-23 01:38:10 · answer #6 · answered by gebobs 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋