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In Olympic swimming events, the winner is the first person to touch a pressure-sensitive wall at the end of the pool. How does this pad know that a person has touched it, rather than just registering the pressure of splashing water? If a swimmer just brushed it, would it fail to register their finish?I know that in the men's 100-metre butterfly event, the equipment was called into question when Michael Phelps of the US won his seventh gold medal of the games. How did officials know it had operated successfully?And finally, it's easy to judge the victor in a race taking place out of water - such as running - because a sensor beam can scan the finish line. But in the pool how can they ensure that all the wall pads are exactly in line at both ends of the pool? Are they aligned before water is added to the pool, and if so, how?Kelly Clitheroe, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, UK

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Answered by James
on 2009-07-09 10:12:20

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the last cm is still swum, as the swimmer needs to close that gap in order to activate the sensor and complete the raceJames

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Asked by Michael Marshall
on 2009-07-08 17:01:09

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Categories: Technology.

Tags: technology, weather.

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Touchy feely

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Answered by Anonymous
on 2009-07-11 01:30:29

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i do believe that rolex also sponsors phelps mmmmswim officials also want to promote (professional) swimming and breaking spitz#39;s record would help that mmmmm

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Asked by Michael Marshall
on 2009-07-08 17:01:09

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Categories: Technology.

Tags: technology, weather.

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On the spike I was walking from Cowes on the Isle of Wight to Yarmouth along the coastal path in June. When nearing Yarmouth we saw this strange spike standing upright on a leaf (see photo). The top of the spike has broken off to the right.What created it? If it's of any use, the weather was warm.David Winstanley, Norwich, UK
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Answered by alex bennett
on 2009-07-09 12:20:23

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I#39;m the fist to comment but i think it#39;s was glue that set then the leaf was upside down then some how it came to what you can see now

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Asked by Michael Marshall
on 2009-07-08 17:00:23

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Categories: Plants, Unanswered.

Tags: animals, unanswered, domestic science, plants.

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On the spike I was walking from Cowes on the Isle of Wight to Yarmouth along the coastal path in June. When nearing Yarmouth we saw this strange spike standing upright on a leaf (see photo). The top of the spike has broken off to the right.What created it? If it's of any use, the weather was warm.David Winstanley, Norwich, UK
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Answered by Pat
on 2009-07-12 12:40:08

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The plant looks like a Pellitory (Parietaria sp) but I can#39;t see enough detail in the photo to have a clue what the spike is. I suspect it is unrelated to the plant it is on. Was the plant at ground level or up a wall? Not that I have anything in mind, just wondering as Pellitory of the Wall often is high on a wall.

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Asked by Michael Marshall
on 2009-07-08 17:00:23

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Categories: Plants, Unanswered.

Tags: animals, unanswered, domestic science, plants.

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I can wiggle my ears, but only both at once, not one at a time. Why? I am fortunate enough to be able to wiggle my ears. However, I can only wiggle both at once, not one at a time. Why? Peter Slessenger, Reading, Berkshire, UK (Image: djeyewater, stock.xchng)
Editorial status: In magazine. (1 vote) average rating:3 There are 35 answer(s) for this question. View answers \| Submit an answer