I’m curious about the maximum stress that the human body can take. Let’s say I have something that spins around really fast, like a jet engine. Let’s also say that it is possible for me to turn this engine upright, attach myself to the center so tightly that nothing will break my feet loose save my legs ripping apart, and I would not get sucked into the engine when it is started.
Once the engine is started, I will spin around really fast. Is it possible for the centrifugal force to be so strong that my body rips apart into shreds? If so, what is the exact process? Would skin come off first, then muscle then bone? Or would I lose a hand, then an arm, and then some guts?
A common cause of death in car accidents is the aorta tearing due to sudden deceleration. My guess is that would happen before your skin tore off your body.
Military pilots can take sustained G forces approaching 10 Gs before passing out. Sudden deceleration in car racing accidents have cause momentary G forces of much greater that drivers have survived. I believe the record was calculated at over 100Gs for a headon crash into a barrier.
OK, I’m always up for a serious discussion of an inane subject…
Centrifugal force will vary depending on the distance from the centre / axis of rotation. The aortic tear suggested by Telemark is less likely, because (assuming this turbine-induced pirouette is centred) the aorta is near the axis of rotation and will be subjected to less centrifugal force. Greatest force will be induced on the furthest-out pieces (arms, hips, maybe Little Chowmein) so expect to disintegrate from the outside in. Of course, all it takes is a small tear to start things off, and then you’ll empty yourself of blood like a centrifuge.
