Crushing Cars with Just a Mallet/Sledge Hammer

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mechanics of crushing cars using a mallet or sledge hammer, particularly in the context of events where participants demonstrate this capability. Participants explore the physics behind the force exerted by a sledge hammer compared to the structural integrity of a car's steel frame.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how a sledge hammer can crush the steel frame of a car, suggesting that the steel pillars should withstand the car's weight.
  • Another participant asserts that a sledge hammer can produce a force much greater than the weight of the car due to the high acceleration during impact, referencing the formula for force (f=ma).
  • A participant raises the idea that pressure, defined as force divided by area, may explain why a sledge hammer can cause more damage than a vehicle rolling over a car, as the force from the hammer is concentrated over a smaller area.
  • Humorous comparisons are made regarding the impact of an Abrams tank versus high heels, suggesting that surface area plays a role in the perceived damage.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of force and pressure in the context of crushing cars, with some agreeing on the physics involved while others introduce humorous and subjective comparisons that do not resolve the technical discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the structural integrity of car frames and the mechanics of force application, but these assumptions are not fully explored or resolved.

Side
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Probably a dumb question:
I've been curious after seeing some of these car bashing type events at universities and such, how is it possible to crush the steel frame of a car using only a mallet/sledge hammer? I thought the steel pillars on the roof of a car was supposed to be able to at least withstand the weight of the car. Is a sledge hammer capable of producing more force than the weight of the car?
These cars are crushed with sledge hammers:
http://www.ccboe.org/cacc/misc/misc_06.htm
http://www-personal.engin.umd.umich.edu/~dce/pictures/carsmash.html
These kids look like they've crushed this car with sledge hammers and/or jumping on it:
http://uAlberta.ewb.ca/events/
I wouldn't even have thought it humanly possible to do this much damage:
http://www.washjeff.edu/phideltatheta/carsmash.html
 
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Side said:
I thought the steel pillars on the roof of a car was supposed to be able to at least withstand the weight of the car. Is a sledge hammer capable of producing more force than the weight of the car?
Certainly! Remember that force is equal to acceleration times mass (f=ma). While the weight (mass) of the hammer is much less than the weight of a car, when you have an impact, the acceleration (deceleration) is enormous, resulting in a force hundreds (or even thousands) of times the weight of the hammer.
 
russ_watters said:
Certainly! Remember that force is equal to acceleration times mass (f=ma). While the weight (mass) of the hammer is much less than the weight of a car, when you have an impact, the acceleration (deceleration) is enormous, resulting in a force hundreds (or even thousands) of times the weight of the hammer.

Wouldn't pressure (pressure= Force / area) have something to do w/ why a sledge hammer (force spread over a small surface area) would inflict more damage than a roll over ( force spread over a large surface area)?
 
Yup. That's why it's better to have your foot run over by an Abrams tank than be stomped on by a woman in high-heels.:biggrin:
 
Danger said:
Yup. That's why it's better to have your foot run over by an Abrams tank than be stomped on by a woman in high-heels.:biggrin:

Umm, I'll take the high heels any day over a friggin tank - and surface area be damned! :bugeye: