Recent content by denver75

We're doing another demonstration about explosives, discussing the forces created. Our primary explosive is PETN (detcord) - handled by a licensed technician of course. I need to prepare some facts about the physical forces at play with the explosions. How can I quantify the energy...

Thanks minger- So in the discussion of how "strong" different thicknesses of materials are compared to each other, what would be the proper measurement? How can I describe 14 gauge vs 16 gauge sheet metal, or 1/2" plywood vs 3/4"?

I understand the distinctions of the different types of material strengths, but I get stumped when asked about how they apply when the material discussed is thicker or thinner. Any help?

Hi everyone, Time for me to do another demonstration for some coworkers, and I want to make sure I'm being accurate. The idea is to explain how much force a small 2000lb car moving at 40mph has, and then explain the speed that an 8lb bowling ball would need to have the same amount of force...

Nabeshin, hugely helpful. That's just the info I needed. Thanks.

Thanks for the info, Nabeshin. Here's a quick follow up question: If we know that an object that weighs 50 lbs is launched 100' with a big catapult (angle: 41º, velocity: 39mph), is there an easy way to calculate the force generated, and then apply that data to determine the trajectory of...

I'm struggling to get my mind around this concept: If you have a spring with a known spring constant, and you put a specific mass on it, compress it a certain distance and then release it, can you predict the distance it will travel with the information supplied? Or in other words, can I...

I'm working on a demonstration of where I want to show the equivalent result of impacts of two separate masses. I'd like to make sure I am understanding these concepts correctly (it's been more than a few years since my college level physics class). An object weighing 100kg moving at a...

Hi gang, I've been reading for a while and now need some help of my own. Thanks in advance. I'm currently planning a project where I'm going to demonstrate a launch of an RC car off the flat roof of a building. The height of the roof is 25'. I figure the RC car will go 25mph, and the ramp...