Comment semantic attack (and some physics) (Score 1) 460
What exactly does it mean to "rotate circularly"?
When rotating, we're talking about rotation about an axis. WWWebster Dictionary - rotation: "1 a (1) : the action or process of rotating on or as if on an axis or center". And rotation /can/ continue forever, as long as the object in question is not acted upon by an outside force.
If by "circular rotation" you mean orbital motion, as long as it is not acted upon by an outside force can't such an object also continue indefinitely? Keeping in mind the object in orbit does experience the force of gravity, which keeps it in orbit. But as long as its tangential (linear) velocity remains above/at a given level, shouldn't it remain in orbit?
I guess one could say the Earth is rotating circularly. Since it is in rotation about its axis, and in orbit around the Sun. Although such orbits aren't circles, they're elipses.
When rotating, we're talking about rotation about an axis. WWWebster Dictionary - rotation: "1 a (1) : the action or process of rotating on or as if on an axis or center". And rotation
If by "circular rotation" you mean orbital motion, as long as it is not acted upon by an outside force can't such an object also continue indefinitely? Keeping in mind the object in orbit does experience the force of gravity, which keeps it in orbit. But as long as its tangential (linear) velocity remains above/at a given level, shouldn't it remain in orbit?
I guess one could say the Earth is rotating circularly. Since it is in rotation about its axis, and in orbit around the Sun. Although such orbits aren't circles, they're elipses.
