Seesaw out of an airplane

[faulknerwn 38]

I'm taking a class at coursera.org called how things work. It's basically a physics class but he includes lots of cool videos to explain stuff

In a section on seesaws, he mentions something about what would happen if you took a seesaw out of an airplane. He of course didnt have video of this.

That to me just seemed like a challenge :). And an opportunity to provide him with a cool video! Anyone up for it? I suspect a tailgate would make it easier. And of course you would have to be careful of where you jump out depending on how you made the seesaw..

[councilman24 37]

The fun factor aside, just what point was he trying to make?

With no place to put the fulcrum what are you supposed to do?

I'd probably just use it to spin a barber pole.

I'm old for my age.
Terry Urban
D-8631
FAA DPRE

[faulknerwn 38]

He covers all the net torque and angular momentum and lever arms and all sorts of stuff.

He said he didn't do it because parents wouldn't approve :)

[MikeJD 0]

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He covers all the net torque and angular momentum and lever arms and all sorts of stuff.

But has he given any thought to air resistance?

[excaza 1]

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But has he given any thought to air resistance?

I thought we always neglect air resistance

[craigbey 0]

Years ago, I participated in a jump that could best be described as part science project, all cluster-fuck. 2 'researchers' exited the side door of a small aircraft while seated on a plastic PlaySkool seesaw similar to what's in the attached pic.

Both jumpers were able to hold on during the exit and there was a brief moment when it looked like it might actually work. The 2 were actually teetering back and forth.

Then ... it happened. The seesaw went sideways and started spinning wildly. Good times.

There were others on the jump including video. Not sure what became of the video, but in slow motion -- and edited to include the opening music from Star Trek -- it was quite comical.

So perhaps it wouldn't be suitable for legitimate research...

[faulknerwn 38]

Laugh. Sounds like a great video!

[Squeak 17]

Quote

He covers all the net torque and angular momentum and lever arms and all sorts of stuff.

He said he didn't do it because parents wouldn't approve :)

Unless the fulcrum was really HEAVY to act as a ballast, the see/saw would invert straight out the door.

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[DeeBeeGee 0]

might work with a drogue on either end of the fulcrum