The trouble with inertia

Inertia is the resistance of any object to a change in its state of motion. Moving objects have a tendency to continue to move in a straight line with constant velocity. Stationary objects will likewise have that same tendency, to maintain their velocity and direction.

Overcoming inertia then, getting something moving or getting something stopped, takes force. In my experience, the force required is significantly more or significantly less than you think. It is never what you imagine.

My inert food processor took surprisingly little force to begin accelerating from its stationary position to the concrete floor below. What was much less surprising was the need for the undertaker, rather than the paramedic, once its inertia was well and truly overcome.

The search for a replacement commenced. This entailed a trip to an appliance store with three assistants. Wouldn't you just die of loneliness if you had to go by yourself?!?

With purchase made, an inordinately large box had to be transported from the shop, through the shopping centre, down to the carpark and back to the car. I could carry it alright. But I could not see where I was going while I was doing so. This necessitated both shepherding the assistants and simultaneously relying on them in much the same way someone might rely on a highly trained Seeing Eye Dog. My lot have far less training.

Reaching the top of the descending escalator we had a little more difficulty with inertia. My thereto accelerating assistant baulked at the top. Two assistants commenced their descent and I narrowly avoided tripping over him.

Overcoming inertia had not been that tricky earlier in the week: that's why we were at the top of this escalator in the first place. Without hand to provide a supportive force, I nudged the back of his head with the box. He bowed from the hip. And popped back up. I nudged again. He bowed again. His feet remained where they were.

I feared any more nudging. I inadvertently nudged a food processor once. It took surprisingly little force to begin accelerating from its stationary position to the concrete floor below...

If you're having difficulty making things go, or making them stop, may I suggest next week's menu.

As always, please contact me with queries, for lists of ingredients or for recipes.