Physics education research, electronic materials, and the musings of Christopher Moore, Ph.D.

Quasimodal, a metrically challenged resident of Flatland, is charged with the responsibility of maintaining the spin rate (within strict cosmological tolerances) of a galactic merry-go-round while stationed at a fixed location coincident with the merry-go-round’s geometrical center. To do so, Quasimodal finds it necessary to make daily measurements at regular intervals along the merry-go-round’s circumference from his central location. Clearly, the amount of effort involved depends directly upon the length of the merry-go-round’s circumference.

Quasimodal has the option (and the necessary equipment) of making such measurements while the merry-go-round is at rest, or while it is rotating. Would either option minimize his efforts?