strange thing

[sammmo]

I have on my desk a piece of rubberised belting about 25 mm wide that is rolled up tightly and held in place by an elastic band.. the diameter of this rolled up belt is about 70 mm. Today i have been rolling it on my desk and as it falls onto its side i've noticed instead of it falling and bouncing in the direction it falls it bounces in the opposite direction to the way it was rolling.. why is this?

[Clanad]

My lightning fast mind is having difficulty understanding your word picture... could you add a little more for clarity? (I'm sure I'm the only one muddling the intent of your query).

[mjd]

Possibly because when it lands it's rotation causes energy to be stored which has then to be released by rotating in the opposite direction and causing it to bounce backward.

[daisya]

Because it's programmed to do that? Well I don't know about physics so I have to use the layperson's explanation lol.

[R1Geezer]

I get it. Like a wheel falling on it's side but with no rigidity. When the bit at the top hits the surface, being rubber and moving quite quickly it grips the table momentarily meaning the rotation is halted so the bottom bit that is now slightly in the air and not gripping moves backward slightly to take up the energy of the falling motion.

[carolegif]

Haven't you got any work to do?

[daisya]

Carole you are so droll I like it.

[Jemisa]

Now you have put my head in a mucking fuddle Sam.

jem

[RAV1D]

Maybe it's not fully balanced when it hits the surface and it's weight makes it bounce a different direction.

[wildwood]

It will seldom fall flat on its side so it will bounce in the direction opposite of which side hits the floor first. it it falls on the side closest to your desk it should bounce away from you.

Now get back to work. We're not paying you to contemplate scientific phenomena.

[sammmo]

thanks for all your answers, wildwood has summed it up, thanks.. I've thrown this belt into the bin this morning as its getting on my nerves now.. and as you say its stopping me from working.. whats the saying about little things pleasing little minds..

[daisya]

Instead of throwing it away you could have made something with that, like a tightrope to walk on across a canyon or to bungee jump a cat or dog with. What a waste and a waste of ink with everyone having answered you!
Hmm. ;-)

[nightmare]

daisya,
I give up.
Where and how has any ink been wasted ?

[daisya]

Just in case you have been worrying your head off nightmare, the "waste of ink" was a JOKE! Sigh, I give up too now. Now you've made me waste some more!! <snigger>