Flag Wrapping.....

[MoonRocker]

Ok can someone explain the science here. A club I go to has a flag pole and when a member dies we put the flag at half mast. Our flag pole is on the side of the building high up at an angle of approx 45 degrees. Now, inevitably, when a wind gets up it gets wrapped around the pole. What I don't get is, why does it never unwrap itself, the wind blows in all directions but the flag will only wrap in the same direction as its first wrap, getting more and more wrapped around the pole. I have never seen it unwrap, ever. I'd have though that if the wind changed direction it would unwrapaAny ideas why not? thanks

[jomifl]

I don't think any one of us has come up with the complete answer yet.

[MoonRocker]

chakka: "Calibax explained why it happens in the very first answer" - derrr
did you read the rest of the thread? Underneath I explained why that cannot be the explanation. Heathfield seems to be the most plausible up to now.

[jomifl]

If the flagpole is vertical as per khandro's suggestion the wrapping of the cloth will fall out under gravity although it won't be very visible on a non windy day, you take your choice....

[Khandro]

True jom. and it does sound pretty draughty there!

[mibn2cweus]

The inside of the flag will invariably be less exposed to the wind due to the portion of it surface area being shielded from the wind by the pole and the part of the flag already wrapped around it. Once completely wrapped, only the outer surface of the flag is exposed to the wind.

May I please have my Nobel Prize then? :o)

[Khandro]

^^ Stand in line.