Which way is up?

Question

Go for it - I've got small grandchildren to entertain this week!

Answer 1

whichever direction is the opposite of gravity. If there is no gravity, there is no "up" but it becomes relative to whatever object you choose. In my case, currently, the floor would be "up"

Answer 2

You don't say how old the grandchildren are but here are some source ideas that could be adapted.

Defying Gravity
A room that defies gravity.
http://zestyping.livejournal.com/97476.html

Permaculture: Schauberger and nature’s levity
There are some great ideas by Schauberger here that should inspire the kid's imagination. The salmon leaping question should get them going or what about flying saucers?
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/dp5/gravity2.htm
Great images to stimulate the imagination
http://ncartmuseum.org/Flight/flight_plans/portfolio.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNv6cFUvU9s
Then there is always the magic tricks with the glass of water above the head and the egg in a bottle.
Have fun.

Answer 3

The most practical and flexible way up must be an
acceleration vector. A vector having components
of magnitude and direction must be capable of
finding the way through and/or around an obstacle.
I think it must be an obstacle which spurs us to rise
up from a restful state. The obstacles of life can
come at us with varying speeds, but with appropriate
acceleration to compensate our sustenance those
obstacles travelling at a constant velocity are
reasonably avoidable by our accelerating velocity.
Anything which seeks to hinder progress must
yield its ability to choose direction by conforming
to the trajectory of the target. Therefore, direction
becomes equally important as magnitude in guiding
the outcome of the encounter.

Answer 4

Up is the opposite of the way things go when you drop them; as long as you are on earth. If y'all are going on any really long trips, then I don't know.

Oh, I just thought of another exception. In the water things lighter than the water go up, seemingly against gravitry, especially if filled with air. Take a ping pong ball underwater and it will go up, unless you take it too far, in which case it will be mashed. However I don't think you could free dive far enough to mash a ping pong ball.

So, have a fun time explaining all of that to them. (I would go for demonstrations.)

Answer 5

Up is where you are once you have climbed the ladder steps to the top of the slicky slide. Down is when you have reached the bottom of the slide down. Under is when you are standing below the playground bridge. Across is when you go from one side of the bridge to the other. Beside is when you are next to something.

Answer 6

huh? well, if you are sprawled on the floor, looking in any direction (providing its on your back) it would be 'up'. on the other hand, free-floating in space (i.e., astronauts) 'up' is a relative term. for that matter, 'down' would be hard to pinpoint, as well. i can tell you this and take it for what it's worth: picture a person slipping on an ice patch. when you are trying to gain ground, it's called 'up'. however, as you slip, fall & land on your ever-lovin' butt, it's called 'down'. i read somewhere a long time ago that gravity is the weakest force in the universe. however, you've got a long way to prove that to my butt when i'm constantly landing on it in a raging ice or snow storm. your rate of gravitational fall is in direct proportion to your body weight and it sure as heck hurts! in other words, "down you go". as a further note, and this is so true for busy mothers, a question for you: why don't kids drop things up?

Answer 7

The opposite way of down. Sorry, it's after 1a & I shouldn't be answering anything! Too durned HOT to sleep, but wearing thin. Did your grandchildren ask you this???

Answer 8

Up is when you tilt your head waaaaaayyy back and you face the sky the clouds and the moon and the sun.
See that cloud dancing in the sky?
See the sun smiling?
See the moon laughing?
It's all because they are UP there so they can look down at YOU :-)

Answer 9

Up is a relative denomination. It is completely
rested upon how we view the world. Technically, there could be a planet that is upside down that is normal to them. Up is the word we use to describe things that are above us, wherever we may be.

Answer 10

Literally, they are signs posted which way is up
& which way is down....
so it's just a matter of choosing.

Figuratively, the way up could have various meanings.
it could mean to climb up(as with the stairs or branches)..
to soar & fly(with a wing or glide with the wind)..
or to simply float & evaporate (as to fade away or disappear)
which way up should be relevant to your purpose, determination & sense of direction.
i know it doesnt sound Fun to tell your grandkids about it..
but you can simply tell them to ask granny goose to give them a lift.. just in case.
=))))))))