Really? I was watching a TV programme about the new AVG, the very high-speed train in France, when the engineer explained the challenge of moving a train through the air at the speeds they are talking about achieving. He started by explaining that air weights 1kg per cubic metre. Sounds incredible, but being aware of something like that when you are facing a challenge, allowed French Railways to take over the rail speed record in 2007, and achieve a speed of 574.8km/hour with a test TGV train on the East European high-speed line.
While I was watching the programme it brought back a moment when my parents and I were in Scotland getting ‘smokies’ from Arbroath. We had been in the car for several hours and on arrival in Arbroath, Dad parked on the sea-front. We all got out of the car for a quick leg-stretch before we went shopping. Mum stood beside the car and lent into the wind! It was so strong that she couldn’t walk forward at all. 🙂
A cubic metre is equivalent to 1,000 litres, or 264.17 fluid gallons, or 6.29 oil barrels, or a cube with edges of 1 metre in length. So when you think about it, 1 kg isn’t all that heavy until you start to add up all the air around you and think about the weight you are pushing when you are walking! or in TGV terms speeding along the rails.
A portion of the TV programme I was watching talked about aerodynamics and how the Bugatti car designs of the day helped change the aerodynamics of trains in the 1930’s. Cars are aerodynamic. Planes are aerodynamics. Trains are aerodynamic. People? well are they? Dogs? Cats?
Next time you are out in the breeze or the wind; think about how heavy the air is that you are trying to move through, especially if it’s pushing towards you … !
© 2013 Barbara J. Cormack
First published under Cormack’s Capers in Magna Intuitum
As an experienced Executive based in Scotland, with global experience in Programme and Project Management focused on the financial side of the business, Coaching, Mentoring, and Training: Barbara is looking for new opportunities to support, motivate, and contribute to small and medium sized companies.
Barbara is a highly strategic, analytical, collaborative, intuitive, and inspirational motivator, with a passion for professional and organisational development. Her international experience spans over 30 years of working with individuals, teams of people, goals, aspirations, dreams, desires, and successful outcomes in various Programme Management, Project Management, Consultancy roles; and more recently as an award winning Coach, Mentor, Facilitator, Professional Development Trainer, and sought after International Speaker. Barbara uses her extensive skills to support the personal and professional development of clients, colleagues, friends and family.
Barbara’s career has given her an experience of international business practice, different cultures, and personal and organisational progress; which has been gained while both living and working nationally and internationally, and through working in a wide range of industries.
Barbara’s passion in life is to ensure that her clients, colleagues, family, and friends become the best they can in all aspects of their lives. She is an advocate of achieving!
Barbara is looking to work with individuals and organisations, who can benefit from her extensive background and experience, working with a keen insight into the demands of organisational and professional development, while balancing the organisational with the professional and personal. Barbara’s style of working makes the possibility of sustainable change, compelling, exciting, and achievable.
Barbara’s passion in life is to ensure that her clients, colleagues, family, and friends become the best they can in all aspects of their lives. She is an advocate of achieving in every arena of life.
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