Artificial Gravity

[maerd2003]

does anyone have an idea whether this is possible; if yes, does it reduces/kills the effects of non-gravitational environment on human body..

[Redem]

Gravity is acceleration. We can induce an "artificial gravity" by causing a body to accelerate in any direction we please by any method we please. A commonly known example is spinning a space station to cause the sensation of gravity towards the other hull, and thus for all intents and purposes we can create gravity in space stations or space craft.

[Elfdude]

Hypothetically if we were to use extremely dense matter that we were somehow able to stabilize we could induce a localized gravity well.

But most likely we'd simply use acceleration to copy gravity's natural downward pull of 9.8 meters per second per second. If we were to make a spaceship a couple hundred feet in diameter we could accomplish a near perfect illusion of gravity. However the 'gravity induced' area would become more chaotic the closer to the 'axel' you got. Alternatively you could put your ship into a corkscrew like (proper barrel roll) roll using a small amount of directed thrust and create imaginary spokes of the wheel with good ol controlled thrust.

[maerd2003]

thanks. well, what about the damage to the spine, does it still happen in ag. envitonment?

[Elfdude]

At the right acceleration every problem because of gravity will still occur and none of the problems of zero gravity will occur. I'm not sure what you're referring to (spinal compression?) but it'd probably be a problem if the A.G. matched earth and it is a problem on earth.

[cfmonkey45]

Actually, I did research on this, and my AP Physics teacher in High School/our Robotics Team Mentor included this in one of the sections on centripetal force. Its been a while since I've taken Physics, so I could be rusty. You can essentially imitate gravity with standard Newtonian methods. However, IIRC, Quantum Physics explains gravitons, which, if I also recall correctly, might be able to be manipulated once we understand subatomic particles better.

[Elfdude]

Actually, I did research on this, and my AP Physics teacher in High School/our Robotics Team Mentor included this in one of the sections on centripetal force. Its been a while since I've taken Physics, so I could be rusty. You can essentially imitate gravity with standard Newtonian methods. However, IIRC, Quantum Physics explains gravitons, which, if I also recall correctly, might be able to be manipulated once we understand subatomic particles better.

Assuming we ever find a graviton.

[maerd2003]

by the way, in space(i mean in a spacecraft-or stgelse) and talking about acceleration, what you are referencing..i guess it is much complcaed..

[Time Commander Bob]

Artificial gravity in space can be described using the simple equations of circular motion. Centripetal force is the force that points towards the centre and is perpendicular to the transverse force that makes it go along. An easy example is to swing something around on a piece of string in a circle, the centripetal force is the tension in the string (provided it is not slack). The transverse force is the motion your hand makes which spins the object either anticlockwise or clockwise. Due to Newtons Second Law - F=ma - (a simplified version of it but it will suffice for these purposes) where there is a resultant force there is an acceleration, so since there is a resultant force towards the centre (the centripetal force) there is an acceleration towards the centre.
The same principle can be applied to a rotating ring in space, where the acceleration towards the centre will be the velocity squared divided by the radius, as it is for all cases circular motion. Getting this acceleration to be 9.8 would simulate gravity on Earth.