162: Angular Momentum
| 162: Angular Momentum |
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Transcript
[Man sits on his bed, looking at a girl who is spinning. It is night.]
Man on bed: What are you doing?
Girl: Spinning counterclockwise
Each turn robs the planet of angular momentum
Slowing its spin by the tiniest bit
Lengthening the night, pushing back the dawn
Giving me a little more time here
With you
Description
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".
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?
Randall states the obvious in the Image Text: while not being able to reverse time, enjoy your night time. Sunrise comes too early.
