“To
run or not to run” that is the question. Here in the Pacific Northwest we have
a little rain from time to time to time, but not so often or so rarely that it
becomes an issue, rather more it’s something to accommodate to. Hence, most of
us carry umbrellas, sometimes large, but usually small so that you don’t notice
that we are prepared.
Of
course not all inhabitants of the planet are so fortunate as us temperate rain
forest dwellers and have to make decisions when the clouds darken. Bocci is the
latest physicist to worry seriously about the consequences of being stuck in
the street umbrella- less when a drop makes its presence felt (1).
“To run or not to run” that is the question.
But what is the answer? Well a dyed-in-the-wool physicist is not going to treat
this lightly, but is going to study velocities, areas and such like as a body
moves forward through the hydrogical flux (rain to normal mortals).
Of course physicists like to simplify to mark
the route clearly and the tendency is to choose a sphere, however this was not
the case in this example. The person was simplified as a two-dimensional planar
square person, or a cylinder, whose velocity was changed, as was that of the weather.
Before
you dismiss this idealized person, stay and bow down, they are of course your
politicians – 2-dimensional, moving at a constant velocity regardless of reality,
etc. etc. – doesn't that describe them? They also modeled some people as cylinders who I guess represent the
independents in the audience who spin about their axes.
To
the general conclusions. Well the bad news. It depends on how hard it’s
raining, how much wind and how fast you can move.
Great,
stick with us Northwesterners – take your umbrella and leave the applied math
for your next family party.
