Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site warwick.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!mcvax!ukc!warwick!kay
From: kay@warwick.UUCP (Kay Dekker)
Newsgroups: net.physics
Subject: Re: HELP! Real life physics problem.
Message-ID: <2383@flame.warwick.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 13-Nov-85 14:44:17 EST
Article-I.D.: flame.2383
Posted: Wed Nov 13 14:44:17 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 17-Nov-85 07:15:13 EST
References: <773@charm.UUCP>
Reply-To: kay@flame.UUCP (Kay Dekker)
Organization: VLSI Group, Warwick University, UK
Lines: 36
Keywords: egg, brick, cornstarch, vibrator
Xpath: warwick flame flame ubu

I don't know if this would work: the theory sounds OK, but I'm not sure I'd
like to try it...  if anyone wants to do so, please email me the result!

Method:  Fill the shoebox with a stiffish paste of cornstarch and water. Add
the egg and the brick at opposite ends.  Tie up, and drop.

Cornstarch and water form a rheotropic mixture (ie, flows like a liquid, but
when placed under compression sets solid until released).  This should tend
to cushion the egg against any compressive forces by spreading them evenly
over the surface.  It will also cushion the brick, but who gives a damn about
bricks? ;-)

This leads on to a question of my own: I posted it to the net about a year
ago, but there was absolutely no response; possibly it didn't get out (our
news system was fairly flakey then).  Maybe someone will find it interesting.

Given the properties of a rheotrope, what would happen if a mechanical
oscillator were placed into it? (for example, a piezo buzzer or a vibrator).
How does the rheotropism affect the propagation of the compression waves?
Does the medium fall apart into increasingly-slushy shells?  does the
oscillator become coated with an ever-thickening layer of gelled cornstarch?
or what?  Does anyone have a mathematical model for rheotropism?

I'd be interested in results, if anyone has any;  I'd do the experiment
myself, but the thought of wandering past my housemates into my room carrying
a bucket of water, a pack of cornstarch and a vibrator and listening to their
comments somewhat deters me...

Comments, speculations, snickers welcome, but no flames, please...  

							Kay
-- 
"Be careful: the system is complex and chaotic, though it
 has many attractive features..."
				_The Pot-holes of the Yorkshire Moors_
				... mcvax!ukc!warwick!flame!kay