if u were in a free falling elevator, is it possible to save your life by jumping up at the very second it hits the ground?
2007-02-25 11:36:27 · 4 answers · asked by willow 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
nope. You should watch Mythbusters on the discovery channel. One episode was rightfully titled "elevator of death"
2007-02-25 11:44:47 · answer #1 · answered by rabies1979 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is similar to another question - if you were on the top rung of a ladder and the ladder slipped sideways and headed toward the ground, why not just ride it on down and just before it hits the ground, simply jump up and off the ladder a few feet from the ground?
At first glance, this might sound logical - but we are forgetting that we are traveling at the same speed as the ladder and as we jump "up" (relative to the ladder) we are still traveling at a high rate of speed toward the ground. The same situation exists in the elevator.
2007-02-25 20:31:14 · answer #2 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope! You must use the same technique that you would use in the event of a Nuclear blast witch is to duck and take cover or in other words bend over and kiss it good bye!
2007-02-25 23:05:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An excellent and detailed explanation of the situation can be found below:
http://www.physlink.com/Education/AskExperts/ae54.cfm
2007-02-25 19:41:36 · answer #4 · answered by Nimish A 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋