162: Angular Momentum

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Angular Momentum

Title text: With reasonable assumptions about latitude and body shape, how much time might she gain them? Note: whatever the answer, sunrise always comes too soon. (Also, is it worth it if she throws up?)

Explanation

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. 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 title text: while not being able to reverse time, enjoy your night time. Sunrise comes too early.

Transcript

[Cueball sits on his bed, looking at Megan who is spinning. It is night.]

Cueball: What are you doing?

Megan: 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

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Discussion

The issue date is not given, as i don't have a clue about it. Could someone fix this? Rikthoff (talk) 19:30, 3 August 2012 (EDT)

When the page was updated to the new comic template by User:Bpothier he fixed the date. lcarsos (talk) 20:48, 28 August 2012 (UTC)