How does the 'floor' know when to push up?

Subject: How does the 'floor' know when to push up?

Date: Thu Jan 21 18:48:27 1999
Posted by Mara Kugler
Grade level: undergrad
School: ithaca college
City: ithaca State/Province: NY
Country: USA
Area of science: Physics
ID: 916966107.Ph

Message:


Newton's third law says "For every action there is a reaction"  
So when you are running or jumping, there is always some time 
when your body is totally off the ground or the force is 
decreased depending on what phase you are in.  So how does the 
floor "know" when and how much force to apply to keep the person 
from going through the floor?

Re: How does the 'floor' know when to push up?

Current Queue | Current Queue for Physics | Physics archives

Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Physics.