Flying R2-D2, Newton and Aristotle

Flying R2 D2 What would Aristotle Say? What would Newton Say? Does R2 fly at a constant speed? What is R2 Made of? it's just a movie Using Tracker Video Analysis This is free software (java-based) Load a video Scale the video Mark an object in each frame You get position-time data http://www.cabrillo.edu/~dbrown/tracker/ Looks pretty constant But thrusters are angled back Thrusters at about 43 degrees When R2 stops, thrusters point forward What should a flying rocket look like? Forces are interactions natural motions violent motions natural motions things want to be where they should go fire goes up air goes up rocks go down you know, natural violent motion moving something from its natural state To sum: force = motion (hint: many people think this way and Galileo Forces CHANGE MOTION Example: Suppose I push a cart What happens when I stop pushing? Aristotle: No more violent interaction Cart returns to natural state = at rest No force = no motion. Period. Newton: The cart slows down Why? There must be some other force No force = no CHANGE in motion Of course - but that is what makes it fun Notice how the rocket guy is upright when flying at a constant speed? His feet point in the opposite direction as the acceleration What if he really needs to forward thrust for constant speed? What would that mean? Assumptions You assume too much Earth-like gravity air density like Earth Physics Newton says: constant speed means How about a force diagram values: thrust angle of 35 degrees velocity of 2.3 m/s Mass of R2 = 0.1 kg = 100 grams this would be a density of 0.1 kg/m^3 styrofoam has a density of 40 kg/m^3 WARNING: Do not say: physicist proves R2 weighs less than styrofoam. That would be confusing density and mass. I weigh more than iron (more than a small piece of iron)