Deavon Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 Dear goodness. Please help! I have been locked in debate with my partner about gravity and time. (We had finished discussing 'Heat Magazine' and Big Brother is done...) Anyway, I reckon you weigh more on the summit of Everest than you would at sea level. However I have no proof or scientific basis. Just instinct. Am I right???? (Also does time pass quicker at the top of a mountain?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carcrash Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 Does time pass quicker at the top of a mountain. Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy78 Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 Even though the amount would be negligible when using most weighing devices, yes you would weigh more at a higher altitude. When speaking in weight, we're talking about actual weight (measured in Newtons) as a force due to gravity (g) times mass. It's very common to interchange weight and mass, but they are two completely different things. Although the effect of g should reduce as you move away from the planet's center point, this does not take into account the terrain below your feet. If you were floating in free air several thousand metres above the sea, then your weight would be less. However, when on top of a mountain you have a pretty great mass below you. As g increases with mass, the mass of the mountain below you actually increases your weight. Another consideration is that your weight will vary according to your latitude. As the earth is spinning, centrifugal forces are stronger at the equator. Therefore, the force of gravity will be partly counteracted and you will weigh slightly less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skippy Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 You would weigh more up the mountain because you would have more clothes on, at sea level you would only have your swimmers on. Then again, up the mountain you would be on fluid rations, whereas at sea level you would have a barbie on the beach and a few coldies. ????????????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don_Kiddick Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 Dear goodness. Please help! (Also does time pass quicker at the top of a mountain?) Not if you are up there with a Cliff Richard impersonator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swordfish1 Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 Depends on whether you eat a pie whilst you're there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclone Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 the mass of the mountain is negligable compared to the mass of the earth, but the increase in distance from the centre is more significant (although still very small). So I think the extra distance outweighs the extra mass below you and you weigh less. Even though the amount would be negligible when using most weighing devices, yes you would weigh more at a higher altitude. When speaking in weight, we're talking about actual weight (measured in Newtons) as a force due to gravity (g) times mass. It's very common to interchange weight and mass, but they are two completely different things. Although the effect of g should reduce as you move away from the planet's center point, this does not take into account the terrain below your feet. If you were floating in free air several thousand metres above the sea, then your weight would be less. However, when on top of a mountain you have a pretty great mass below you. As g increases with mass, the mass of the mountain below you actually increases your weight. Another consideration is that your weight will vary according to your latitude. As the earth is spinning, centrifugal forces are stronger at the equator. Therefore, the force of gravity will be partly counteracted and you will weigh slightly less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redrobbo Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 But surely I lose weight when climbing a mountain simply through the sheer physical exertion involved? So, if I then weigh heavier when I'm on a mountain summit, won't this mean I'll lose even more weight when I come down? I can't wait to get back to Snowdonia later this month! I should be looking very thin and trim indeed! Or am I misunderstanding the physics involved? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strix Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 Hmmm, I believe that you'd weigh less, but it'd have to be a high mountain Proof that g is less up there? You can't get a decent cup of tea, as the boiling point of your water falls (due to the value of g falling), but this can be cured by adding the sugar before you boil the water, as impurities in water increase it's boiling point If you don't take sugar, you're stuffed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggletail Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 You would weigh more up the mountain because you would have more clothes on, at sea level you would only have your swimmers on. Then again, up the mountain you would be on fluid rations, whereas at sea level you would have a barbie on the beach and a few coldies. ????????????? Gets my vote for best answer so far Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.