Busting the myth about achieving artificial gravity by rotating a body

[DaveC426913]

The disconnect is that you're not getting my point. I understand what you mean but i see it as wrong. I disagree that the astronaut is drawn towards the outer wall. He starts with zero rotation together with the floor. As the floor speeds up, he holds on to it. When the floor is spinning and he let's go of it, he will not continue to be pushed towards the outer wall. He's in space and there will be nothing to draw him towards the outer wall. He will bump into the outer wall and for a while be pushed towards the floors rotational tangent, but he will not be pushed outside towards the wall.

That's why I specified that it contains air. The air drags him along with the rotation.

In a vacuum, you would be correct that he could float without limit.

 

[berkeman]

Thread closed temporarily for Moderation...

 

[berkeman]

So the OP is on a 10-day vacation from PF. They can contact the Mentors when they return to discuss whether this thread can be reopened. Thanks everybody for trying to help the OP.

 

[berkeman]

Whelp, the update is that the vacation is permanent. Thread will not be reopened. Have a nice day.