Message-Id: <l03102801b14ff4307bd9@[153.90.236.25]>
In-Reply-To: <l03102802b14ef1212cc7@[209.142.17.104]>
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 1998 08:24:12 -0700
To: pinhole@exploratorium.edu
From: Steven Eiger <eiger@montana.edu>
Subject: Re: escape velocity
To add to the expanding universe question, my understanding is that since
gravity is acting on things flying apart, they will accelerate, that is,
slow down, and they will continue to do this. But as they are slowing
down, they are still getting farther and farther apart, which lessens the
force of gravity so that they are slowing down less and less; yet they are
still speeding apart. In fact with the proper initial speed they will
continue going apart always, and never slow down enough to stop or reverse
direction. Reminds me of a math problem where you are approaching a spot
but can always move half the way there and never reach it; sometimes a
constant force will not get the job done.
Steven Eiger, Ph.D.
Departments of Biology and the WWAMI Medical Education Program
Montana State University - Bozeman
Bozeman, MT 59717-3460
Voice: (406) 994-5672
E-mail: eiger@montana.edu
FAX: (406) 994-3190