jcz (06/06/82)
It seems to me that it would be possible, just by using the barometer and no other instrument to get a negative height for a building. Air is hot down near the pavement and cool up around the breazy roof. This whole discussion reminds of my High School physics prof. Leon Zyrkle. A very good teacher. It also reminds me of a good spoof on physics which follows: Several Acamadicians were sitting around the faculty club discussing ways to turn there various talents to profit. The subject of horse racing came up and they began to explore ways to use their knowledge to predict the race. The chemist proposed certain stimulants, but that was rejected on the grounds of ethics. The statistician began to describe obscure theorems and methods - but soon decended into a fit of babbling, as was his way. The engineer wanted to do a wind tunnel study of several saddle designs and horse breeds, but this was too expensive. They turned to the physicist, who had been listening while playing with his collar, and asked if he had an idea. A far-away look come into his eye, he leaned back and said, "Well. . . Assume a sphereical horse. . ." yo, --jcz