It can look dumb, but I always had this question as a kid, what physical principles would prevent this?

You are viewing a single thread.
View all comments
95 points

The problem lies in what “unstretchable” and “unbendable” means. Its always molecules and your push takes time to reach the other end. You think its instantaneous because you never held such a long stick. The push signal is slower than the light

permalink
report
reply
71 points

You think its instantaneous because you never held such a long stick.

Speak for yourself! 😏

permalink
report
parent
reply
8 points

Is it instantaneous though?

permalink
report
parent
reply
11 points

Basically the speed of sound in that material

permalink
report
parent
reply
2 points

It depends on the person who’s holding it and pushing it. For me it takes at least three minutes!

permalink
report
parent
reply
1 point

Probably wiggly wiggly

permalink
report
parent
reply
4 points

Tbh I thought someone would make that joke when i wrote it lol

permalink
report
parent
reply
1 point

Alas, the longer the stick is, the floppier it gets.

permalink
report
parent
reply
5 points

I would liken it to a long freight train starting to move. Once the front starts moving, it will still be a minute before the back starts moving. The space between the train couplings is like the spring effect between atoms, or something.

permalink
report
parent
reply

Asklemmy

!asklemmy@lemmy.ml

Create post

A loosely moderated place to ask open-ended questions

Search asklemmy 🔍

If your post meets the following criteria, it’s welcome here!

  1. Open-ended question
  2. Not offensive: at this point, we do not have the bandwidth to moderate overtly political discussions. Assume best intent and be excellent to each other.
  3. Not regarding using or support for Lemmy: context, see the list of support communities and tools for finding communities below
  4. Not ad nauseam inducing: please make sure it is a question that would be new to most members
  5. An actual topic of discussion

Looking for support?

Looking for a community?

Icon by @Double_A@discuss.tchncs.de

Community stats

  • 9K

    Monthly active users

  • 6.1K

    Posts

  • 326K

    Comments