Re: positive and negative work

[Herbert H Gottlieb <herbgottlieb@JUNO.COM>]

> A student asked today "If I don't do any work holding a heavy
> object, why do I get tired after a while?"  Is John's
> > answer something I should pass
> on?  What's the chemistry of getting tired?
>
> Thanks, Larry

How is this for an answer???
You do not get tired from just holding an object,
no matter how long you hold it. For example, while seated,
place a postage stamp in your lap and hold it with
one of your hands for three or four weeks. You might
get bored, sleepy, or hungry during that interval but
you certainly will not tire very much from holding the paper.

However, if you try holding a heavy rock in an outstretched
hand without any other support, your contracted muscles
tire rapidly.

Herb Gottlieb
(From New York City. Where we do not get tired while
sleeping with the New York Times folded in our lap.)