h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

There is an old wive’s tale that states that a sink or tub drains clockwise in the northern hemisphere, and
counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere. Supposedly this is caused by the earth’s rotation. This, according to
what I have read, is not true.

Scientists maintain(Discover Magazine....a couple of months back)that the effect on such a small area would not
be detectable. On oceans, yes, but on bathtubs, not a chance.

My question........if all small areas of liquid drain in a clockwise motion(which they do)......WHY? What is the
force which causes this phenonenon? Why don’t they drain counter-clockwise.....or for that matter....straight
down?

I have seen what doesn’t cause it......what does?

Goodnight sweet princess, whoever you are.

NM

Well I'm not a princess but actually it does spin counter-clockwise down here(if that's what you were denying, or was it the rotation thing?) I just went to the sink and tried it you see.

My theory is that seeing as we consist of something like 90% water that water thinks we are rather cool and wants to do us a favour. Now if you have ever cleaned anything before in your life (which I sincerely hope you have) You would maybe have noticed that a circular motion is more effective than straight strokes. Water being very old(4 billion years approx) is therefore very wise and has picked up on useful information like this.

Of course on the off chance that I'm talking complete rubbish we could opt for theory 2 which I could explain if I were loads smarter than I was. Theory 2 goes something like this: When you look at the universe (presumably from somewhere else) it is, apparently donut shaped because of the effect of gravity or something) and maybe the same sort is applying itself to the water? That's not really a very good attempt but what the hell.

So.......it really DOES spin counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere! Maybe "Discover" magazine is full of bull.....or, maybe you are right! I'm betting on you!

NM

Well *I've* just gone and tried it in the sink, and it swirled counter - clockwise, too! That, of course, is because I stuck my hand into the water and feverishly swished my hand around, MAKING the water swirl around the wrong way, but that's BESIDE the point! I think I've just proven that *I* have complete control over gravity and doughnuts and everything else which may possibly move water around! BWUAHAHA!! Take that, Discover!!!

(Not to audience : Fenny has stealthily avoided taking physics for what has now been 14 years, not including preschool. )

Hmmmmm.....I didn't realize that being "Honorable Lord Virtual Mayor of London" involved such stunning control of the laws of physics......if I had I might have campained harder!!!

Congrats on dodging physics, by the way.......did the same myself. In 42 years I've found no practical use for it, other than entertainment!

NM

*big, admiring eyes look up (I think, you taller than 5'8? ) at NM*

Really?! I knew it!! Can I quote you while pointing at all the physics people and laughing maniacally?! Pleeeaaaase?? (Don't let your kids take chemistry. This is what happns. )

You are more than welcome to quote me on anything I've said(and a few I didn't!). The maniacal laughter might take the edge off of your point, though.

Now chemistry!?.....THERE'S a useful subject!

NM

No princess me... rrribbit.

An old barman's trick, to empty a bottle amazingly quickly, is to give it one or two expert flicks-of-the-wrist (it's like 'Mothers-in-law' or Justices-of-the-peace') to get a nice vortex started... after taking the top off and turning it upside-down, naturally.

As a Northern Hemisphere Leftie, I can say with more than the usual trace element of certainty that a left-handed Australian bar-keep and I would observe the very same clock-wise motion.



JTG

In yet another instance involving John the Gardener's experimental technique, I get it going counter clockwise. It's INSANE, I tell you, INSANE!! I can't deal with all this power!!

What's wrong with chemistry, eh? It's EXTREMELY useful! After a mere three - and - some years of it, I can make anything from quality moonshine with harmless purple (or not-so-harmless green) colouring (year two) to synthetic sugar (current) to the synthesis of various fairly harmless hallucinogenics (self - study... j/k ) all out of water, salt, yeast, a bunsen burner, and rubbing alcohol! Buhwahwa!

It's another one of those wrestling matches in the making... Rutherford vs. Gasdjkfoowefkjdf the Dutch quantam physicist...

That's nothing......my eldest sister whipped up a good vial of nitro glycerine in her high school chemistry class (by accident, she claims to this day!)......got EVERYBODY out of class for the day!!!LOL

NM