Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal by Zach Weinersmith for December 01, 2014
November 30, 2014
December 02, 2014
Transcript:
How introductory physics problems are written: Problem 4: A steel wall has water on one side. It is 30 meters tall and the water is 20 meters tall. Where should the axis be so that it doesn't tip over? Repeat this exercise for copper, ice, oak, osmium, neutronium, and solid xenon held together by magic. Then, repeat each case, with each of the following liquids replacing water: Mercury, liquid nitrogen, blood, petroleum, and molten lead. This problem is a bit dry. What if we added fun? Problem 4: A Superman with the properties of a steel wall has water on one side. It is 30 meters tall and the water is 20 meters tall. Where should the axis be so that it doesn't tip over? Repeat this exercise for copper, ice, oak, osmium, neutronium, and solid xenon held together by magic. Then, repeat each case, with each of the following liquids replacing water: Mercury, liquid nitrogen, blood, petroleum, and molten lead.
Ida No almost 10 years ago
Repeat with the liquid containing molten green, red, yellow and plaid kryptonite.
Brass Orchid Premium Member almost 10 years ago
I am concerned that we don’t actually know the properties of xenon held together by magic, due to the unknown effects of the magic involved. The wall shouldn’t even be necessary.
Coyoty Premium Member almost 10 years ago
I think it should be 15 meters in all cases.
Olddog1 almost 10 years ago
What axis?
aladdin almost 10 years ago
your answer is correct , for an unknown number of unspecified variables
Jon Schutter almost 10 years ago
Unless it is a box, the liquid will just slide around the sides of the wall, no matter how well constructed. Axis irrelevant.