MadSci Network: Physics |
In orbit around Earth is a large spinning cylinder. Centrifugal force will hold a person on the inside surface just like gravity would. If the cylinder was filled with air, the spin of the cylinder would be transmitted, via friction, to the entire inside of the cylinder. Therefore, even when you were not touching the inside surface, you would feel 'gravity' pulling you 'down'. This effect would become less and less the closer to the axis you came. At the axis, you would be 'weightless'. My question is basically: Would the same effect occur in an airless situation... or would you be weightless throughout the entire cylinder until your body was given inertia by direct contact with the inner surface?
Re: Is 'centrifugal force' applicable without friction?
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Physics.