Originally posted by: Rat
In the video game Halo, there's a spinning, ring-shaped space station spins which uses centrifugal force to simulate gravity (washing machine spin cycle). The halo is spinning relative to what? Shouldn't it spontaneously decelerate?
Let's say you have two concentric halos spinning in opposite directions. Are they both spinning or is one standing still?
The space station that you are talking about is
halo itself. And in the game, it uses centrifugal force and an artificial gravity generator. As to the two concentric halos spinning in opposite directions, it depends on your point of view. (I'm assuming these rings are not connected) Relative time frames come in mind, but you can think of it as if you were on a train moving 60 mph, and are walking along the isle, are you walking 62 mph (train's speed + walking speed in the train) or 2 mph (your walking speed)? If it is a translucent train, someone on the outside would see that you are walking 62 mph, but you would see yourself as walking 2 mph- it's a matter of perspective. As for your questions on what the ring is spinning relative to, maybe you just need a review of
centrifugal force. The ring shouldn't spontaneously decelerate, seeing as there is little force keeping the ring from spinning forever.
edit: mistype