Q4-34DQ

Question

If you squat down (such as when you examine the books on a bottom shelf) and then suddenly get up, you may temporarily feel light-headed. What do Newton’s laws of motion have to say about why this happens?

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer

Light-headedness is caused while suddenly getting up from squatting position due to inertia of rest.

1Step 1: Concept of inertia of rest

A body in rest tends to be in rest unless an external force acts on it.

2Step 2: Reason for feeling light headed when suddenly getting up

While squatting the whole body along with the blood inside are at rest. While suddenly getting up, the blood inside tend to stay at rest in the bottom position due to inertia of rest. This results in less blood in the brain for some time which causes the light-headedness.