How small would something need to be for the gravitational field of a human to significantly affect it? At what point would something be attracted to someone or able to establish an orbit? (Continued)
• The time it would take a hydrogen atom to orbit a human should have been 10 times longer than the 2.5 hours I claimed in my earlier answer, that is 25 hours. I clearly cannot read the display on my calculator.
Mike Follows, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, UK
Advertisement
We pay £25 for every answer published in ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ. To answer this question – or ask a new one – email lastword@newscientist.com.
Questions should be scientific enquiries about everyday phenomena, and both questions and answers should be concise. We reserve the right to edit items for clarity and style. Please include a postal address, daytime telephone number and email address.
¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ retains total editorial control over the published content and reserves all rights to reuse question and answer material that has been submitted by readers in any medium or in any format.
You can also submit answers by post to: The Last Word, ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ, 25 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9ES.