Imponderable #903

Posted by danleone on August 19th, 2007 filed in funny, parenting

I was thinking this today as I pushed my daughter on the swing-set at a local park:

How hard would I have to push my daughter on the swings so that she goes completely around in a circle?

Is it a function of her mass or is it simply the force of the push? Is Conservation of Angular Momentum at play here? I never really understood that chapter in physics way back in the days when I was smart (remember my motto: The older I get, the better I used to be). Of course, I didn’t try to push her so hard that she flew around in a circle….well, I was pushing the envelope by pushing her until the chains slacked. It was then that I wondered if I could push hard enough to give her the ride of her life.


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3 Responses to “Imponderable #903”

  1. meleah rebeccah Says:
    August 20th, 2007 at 10:06 am

    I know nothing about physics, but when I was young, I went as high as I could all the time on the swings. Then….I’d jump off. My little brother was always too scared.

    Now I am the one afraid of heights and he isn’t scared anymore!

  2. Meg Says:
    August 21st, 2007 at 4:17 am

    On a recent rerun (oh big surprise there this time of year)of Mythbusters, they did try what you were pondering. Short of tying little jet engines to one’s arse, it is physically impossible to swing completely around. According to them anyway – didn’t stop me from trying when I was a kid!!

  3. sophie Says:
    August 21st, 2007 at 7:18 am

    I think you will have to take the baby goat to an amusement park for that wild of a ride. I’m loving the picture in my mind of you pushing the swing–with devilish thoughts in mind.

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