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Mad Scientists Science and Mathematics discussion-- theories, arguments, citations, proofs and pudding.

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 #1 
Old 2008-11-06, 21:55
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Chicago
Default What would happen if........

i was in my physics class and one kid started wondering what would happen if an unstoppable force ran into an immovable object. maybe someone here will know......i dont feel like researching so dont bother asking about that.
 #2 
Old 2008-11-06, 22:41
Xerographic Xerographic is offline
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Default Re: What would happen if........

This isn't physics, merely semantics. The words "unstoppable" and "immovable" are used in non-strict scientific contexts -- in a physical reality these things don't exist. If they were to exist, it would be a paradox, since both cannot be true.
 #3 
Old 2008-11-06, 23:35
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Chicago
Default Re: What would happen if........

i realized it was a paradox, but could it be true? or are all paradoxes false. just out of curiosity/ use ur imagination, what do u think would happen?
 #4 
Old 2008-11-06, 23:55
Xerographic Xerographic is offline
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Default Re: What would happen if........

Could what be true? A result of the collision? Because there can never be a collision with the specified parameters, as it's a paradox.
 #5 
Old 2008-11-08, 14:25
Mantikore Mantikore is offline
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Default Re: What would happen if........

unstoppable force and immovable object are both terms that only work in language. if we ask ourselves "how much force makes in unstoppable" or something like that, you will get either:

infinite, which doesnt exist in the real world or a finite number, meaning there is a limit and can be stopped.

so its just an issue with our language that gives rise to this problem
 #6 
Old 2008-11-13, 08:10
Vegemeister Vegemeister is offline
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Default Re: What would happen if........

Whatever is applying the unstoppable force is subject to a centripetal acceleration, and moves away from the immovable object with a velocity reflected across a line normal to the surface of the immovable object.

The immovable object dissipates the energy in a damped harmonic oscillation.
 
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