Today's discussion revolves around how we walk.
Surely, all of you know how to walk. Many might say, what kind of statement is this? We are human beings. We have grown from childhood to adulthood. How could we not know how to walk? How can one even suggest that? In fact, I did not come here to talk about your ability to walk. I am here to inform you about the scientific principles that are reflected in the way you walk.
Many of you may already be aware of this. For those who have a slight understanding or absolutely no knowledge of the scientific principles behind walking, this discussion will be 100% beneficial.
The topic today is which foot plays a more significant role while we walk or which foot helps us move forward? This question may have crossed the minds of many, or perhaps it has not. Some may know the answer, while others may not. Nevertheless, for everyone, I will now explain the answer clearly in this discussion.
1. We stand on the ground.
Almost everyone is aware that the scientist Newton stated in his third law of motion that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This reaction force is what enables us to walk. But how does it work? Let us find out.
When we walk, we exert force on the ground with our feet. Some may ask, what is force? You can refer to the previous posts I have written on this topic. You can check them out by clicking on my profile. Alternatively, you may leave a comment, and I will provide you with the link to the relevant post regarding force in response to your comment.
So, when we apply force to the ground, does the ground just sit there quietly? No, according to Newton's third law, the ground will also exert an equal and opposite force back at us. Therefore, as we apply force downward, the ground pushes us upward. As a result, we do not penetrate the ground. Consequently, we remain on the surface.
2. Techniques for Walking on the Ground
When we apply force to the ground, we do not necessarily move forward. This is because we are applying force directly downward, which causes the ground to push back directly upward. Does this mean we cannot move forward? Certainly not. To achieve forward movement, we must employ a specific technique.
Now the question arises, what do we do to move forward?
The answer is quite simple. When we walk, we need to pay attention to our back legs. Many might ask, which is the back leg? Is it the right or the left leg? In fact, both legs serve the role of the back leg. At times, when the right leg is in front, the back leg is the left leg. Conversely, when the left leg is in front, the right leg takes on the role of the back leg.
Now, regarding this back leg, we do not apply force to the ground vertically with it. Instead, we apply force to the ground at an angle with the back leg. As a result, the ground reacts equally and at an angle opposite to our direction, thus applying force diagonally through the front. This angled reactive force from the ground provides us with the necessary force to move forward.
This implies that in walking, the significance of the back foot is greater than that of the front foot. This is because it is the back foot that provides us with the propulsion to move forward.
In conclusion,
Does the front foot hold no importance in our walking? It does. The front foot assists us in maintaining balance. It ensures that we can walk correctly by keeping us in a stable position. Meanwhile, the back foot aids us in moving ahead.
Therefore, both feet are necessary for walking. However, when it comes to advancing, the back foot is indeed more crucial than the front foot.