Subscribe RSS
Comment RSSJumping Around the Horseguard Valley
31.08.07 # 7:14 # Ask Ernie # No CommentDear Ernie,
I’m planning a trip to the Horseguard Valley in June, 2008. What is the weather going to be like on the 15th of June, so I know what to pack? Thanks for your wise answer.
Dan the Long-Term Planner
Dear Dan With the Plan,
I have consulted with Old Man Karhoffer, and I did extensive studies of the migratory patterns of the Blue Beaver. I also researched weather patterns in the Horseguard Valley for the past 500 years. Naturally, when it comes to predicting weather there is a certain margin of error. However, I can say with 98% accuracy that on the 15th of June, 2008 there will be a 30% chance of thunderstorms in the early afternoon. Expected high will be 24C; overnight low will be 3C with a risk of frost. There will be a moderate high pressure system moving into the valley, which will cause strong winds. The UV index will be 6 or high, so be sure to wear sunscreen.
Dear Ernie,
If everyone in the world jumped up at exactly the same time would it cause a shift in the Earth’s axis?
Jumper in New Zealand
Dear Kiwi Jumper,
This is a complex question that involves a lot of physics. First, for the sake of argument we will disregard how incredibly difficult it would be to pull off this experiment. Secondly, you have to keep in mind Newtons Third Law of Motion; "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction." Now if everyone jumped up, it would cause a force pushing down on the Earth well as up against the atmosphere. Then when they landed it would cause an equal force pushing down. Therefore the two forces would cancel each other out and there would be no noticeable effect. Now if you were to gather the world’s entire population on one half of the Earth and repeat the experiment, the results would be different. Also, if you could jump in the air and then stay suspended, Matrix style, this could cause a shift in the axis.
This entry was posted by 
Leave a comment!