Do People Understand Physics/Mechanics?

Fart Monkey wrote:

I’ve heard people talk about the physics behind the Nike Vaporfly Next%, and their philosophical defense for the shoe is that it doesn’t introduce any energy to the system. The defenders claim that all energy is returned to the source of that energy, the runner. Somehow people are failing to notice that pogo sticks, bicycles and trampolines operate in the very same fashion, returning or multiplying the input from the person. It’s not a terribly sophisticated mechanical concept, yet it seems lost on the average person.

That and wind resistance = sub 2 marathon.

Yes, we don't understand.

“Multiplying the input”?

Hello, John Gault!

You don’t understand fiziks my ignorant friend.

Yeah, to some extent I was following him until he said "multiplying."

I guess.

I went to a very average US public high school. The top science class was Physics (part I mechanics) and the highest level math class was Calculus. Only about 30-40 students in a graduating class of 400 took these classes as seniors. That was the "advanced track".

Eventually I took more advanced Physics at Cornell but got destroyed by most of the Engineering Students there...anyway, my point is the average American is probably quite bad at basic Physics because they never even took it in school.

It's why we need to step up STEM education in this country!

Ok...so, they don't have a clue about STEM, no clue on world Geography or History, ...what are Americans actually being taught?

Serious question.

Stem-less wrote:

Ok...so, they don't have a clue about STEM, no clue on world Geography or History, ...what are Americans actually being taught?

Serious question.

How to take the perfect insta photo with the help of a filter. I think the point Canada was trying to make is the average person is an idiot. Even basic concepts are going to be far too hard for them to understand.

one name per week wrote:

That and wind resistance = sub 2 marathon.

That's a good point that no one ever brings up because they're fixated on the shoes. They blocked all the wind for him on those attempts, which likely helped with energy savings much more than the shoes did.

Tell us how that multiplying that energy input works....I've got this

perpetual motion machine that's almost working......

science is fake news

You are a perfect example about why we have engineers. It is safest if the average person spends their time worrying about brunch and hair styling.

FM117 wrote:

Tell us how that multiplying that energy input works....I've got this

perpetual motion machine that's almost working......

Whether we are multiplying by a factor greater or less than one, the force remains a product of multiplication. In physics, that product is known as spring force or, in the case of force applied to an arm, it is known as torque. Both outputs are products of factors, which multiply the input force for mechanical advantage. Most people are unfamiliar with the scientific usage of these terms, namely multiplication, which they incorrectly assume to take the form of integers greater than one. This is plainly incorrect.

so whatever physics you're talking about, you're probably approaching it completely wrong and not looking at the runner and ground as a closed system (minus things like wind etc)

Once the runner is at full speed, there is only ONE thing that can slow them down, that is deceleration from striking the ground. This is minimized by making sure the foot strikes the ground at rest, i.e. moving backwards relative to the body at the same speed the body is moving forward relative to the ground.

That's almost all there is to it - except that, the faster that speed is, the less time the body has to counter the vertical forces on impact. The faster you're going, the stiffer your springs have to be, as it were.

That's the main reason bounce-shoes are bunk - you're actually prolonging your footstrike, attaching a spring to a spring so there is more displacement which takes more time.

Simplest and most effective model for good form is to run like a wheel - all parts of a wheel are moving forward except the part in contact with the ground. So it should be with your feet.

Nothing is multiplied. Pogo sticks & trampolines don’t make anyone a better runner. Bicycles simply reduce friction & allow sitting on a platform that reduces the effect of gravity.

Physics, mechanics, and mathematics are simply human notations on natural phenomena. It’s all based on fundamental concepts like 1+ 1 = 2.

Fart Monkey wrote:

I’ve heard people talk about the physics behind the Nike Vaporfly Next%, and their philosophical defense for the shoe is that it doesn’t introduce any energy to the system. The defenders claim that all energy is returned to the source of that energy, the runner. Somehow people are failing to notice that pogo sticks, bicycles and trampolines operate in the very same fashion, returning or multiplying the input from the person. It’s not a terribly sophisticated mechanical concept, yet it seems lost on the average person.

How much of the advantage is energy return, and how much is improved comfort over long distances, thereby reducing fatigue?

This is probably why you are slow.

It is based on two principles;

1. Energy return (via plate / spring)

2. Fatigue reduction (via pebax foam)

Fart Monkey wrote:

I’ve heard people talk about the physics behind the Nike Vaporfly Next%, and their philosophical defense for the shoe is that it doesn’t introduce any energy to the system. The defenders claim that all energy is returned to the source of that energy, the runner. Somehow people are failing to notice that pogo sticks, bicycles and trampolines operate in the very same fashion, returning or multiplying the input from the person. It’s not a terribly sophisticated mechanical concept, yet it seems lost on the average person.

So show me someone on a pogo stick going sub 2 for a marathon then...