11. Do objects float when you toss them? Wouldn't things float out of your hands, and wouldn't all your stuff float around? Should I bring string to tie things so they won't float away? (A K2S Question)

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Yes, objects do float when you toss them. The nice thing is that since the force of gravity is exactly counterbalanced, you don't have to throw something in an arc to get it where you want it to go. You just push it in a straight line, and it continues until it either is caught, or hits a wall and is deflected. Things don't necessarily float out of your hands, but if you try to leave something in space next to you, it will float away because of air currents. We use all kinds of restraints to keep things close to us. We use strings, and also such things as clips, bungee cords, and Velcro.


Answer provided by Byron Lichtenberg, Ph.D.


Image:K2S logosmall.jpg Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer