How does a rock skip on water?

[kermit911]

How does a rock skip on water when you through it?

[andy-hughes]

The surface of water is made up of a 'skin' which is easily broken, and reformed to admit objects, but which can be 'skimmed' with a light flat stone if the angle is shallow enoug. The rock 'bounces off' the skin of the water, until it looses momentum, then its weight will puncture the water skin and it will sink.

[CT]

Apt timing. My latest copy of Physics World has an article on this. Here's the link. http://physicsweb.org/articles/world/19/2/6/1
There is some maths involved but they have tried to make it so that you don't need an in depth knowledge of maths or physics to understand it.

[xrayspecs]

Physics world...?? didn't they review that particular publication on "Have I got news for you" ?

[fo3nix]

xrayspecs: I doubt it. It's a very well-established and respected magazine from the IOP. Not some bizzare weird publication.

[markja]

i'm sure if some one told them (have i got news ) about such a publication they would consider it. there is humour everywere, even such an austure magazine.

[xrayspecs]

Sorry fo3nix, im sure it's a genuine publication. I only joke about things like this because I have no aptitude whatsoever for academic study - so my wife, who is a scientist, keeps reminding me.