https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=69.42.21.128explain xkcd - User contributions [en]2026-07-07T16:45:24ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.30.0https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=162:_Angular_Momentum&diff=22207162: Angular Momentum2012-12-07T02:43:41Z<p>69.42.21.128: insert paren</p>
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<div>{{comic<br />
| number = 162<br />
| date = September 25, 2006<br />
| title = Angular Momentum<br />
| image = angular_momentum.jpg<br />
| imagesize = <br />
| titletext = With reasonable assumptions about latitude and body shape, how much time might she gain them? Note: whatever the answer, sunrise always comes too soon. (Also, is it worth it if she throws up?)<br />
}}<br />
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==Explanation==<br />
Angular Momentum is the force upon an object having a certain velocity while spinning. You may remember the certain strain when a spinning yoyo returned into your hand, giving it that much "slip" to discomfort you. The energy of that momentum does that. Angular Momentum is also forced upon the Earth, as it is spinning 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This 24/7 rotation enables us to have a clock. Hence, we say that the Earth is running "clockwise".<br />
<br />
In the comic, [[Megan]] tries to work against this (massive) energy. She is spinning counter-clockwise, thus generating energy to stop the Earth from moving. It is obvious that she (as one human being) will not succeed in stopping the Earth getting its cycle, let alone she generates "clockwise" energy from the other half of her spin. But the romance part is also obvious. After all, who wouldn't want to be longer with the one they truly love?<br />
<br />
[[Randall]] states the obvious in the title text: while not being able to reverse time, enjoy your night time. Sunrise comes too early.<br />
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==Transcript==<br />
[Cueball sits on his bed, looking at Megan who is spinning. It is night.]<br />
:Cueball: What are you doing?<br />
:Megan: Spinning counterclockwise<br />
::Each turn robs the planet of angular momentum<br />
:::::Slowing its spin by the tiniest bit<br />
::::::Lengthening the night, pushing back the dawn<br />
:::::Giving me a little more time here<br />
::::With you<br />
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{{comic discussion}}<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br />
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br />
[[Category:Romance]]</div>69.42.21.128