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The first known diagram of the puzzle, from Claude Dechales Cursus seu Mundus Mathematicus (1674).<\/p>\nToday\u2019s puzzle played a pivotal role in the birth of classical physics.<\/p>\n
The tower drop<\/p>\n
The first known diagram of the puzzle, from Claude Dechales Cursus seu Mundus Mathematicus (1674).<\/p>\n
An object is dropped from a high tower. Bearing in mind the rotation of the Earth itself, where will the object land?<\/p>\n
slightly to the west<\/p>\n
slightly to the east<\/p>\n
exactly at the bottom<\/p>\n
The answer is counter-intuitive. Or, in the words of Isaac Newton, who posed the problem in a letter he wrote to Robert Hooke in 1679, the answer is \u201cquite contrary to ye opinion of ye vulgar.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some hints. Think about how the spin of the Earth might affect the downwards trajectory. Also think about what happens when a spinning figure skater pulls in their arms.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll be back at 5pm UK with the solution.<\/p>\n
PLEASE NO SPOILERS. Instead discuss your favourite seventeenth century scientists.<\/p>\n
UPDATE: You can read the solution here.<\/a><\/p>\n Today\u2019s puzzle was suggested by David Acheson, emeritus professor of maths at Oxford and the author of several excellent popular maths books. His latest is Wonders in Motion, The Story of Dynamics, a beautifully accessible introduction to the science of motion.<\/p>\n Acheson\u2019s book includes more background about the tower drop puzzle. Hooke\u2019s correspondence with Newton rekindled Newton\u2019s interest in gravity and motion, which ultimately led to his formulation of the mathematical foundations of classical physics in the Principia.<\/p>\n Wonders of Motion by David Acheson is on sale at the Guardian Bookshop.<\/a><\/p>\n