Crush Cocoa Puffs with Compressed Air – Science Project

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers around a science project involving the construction of a transparent, pressurized box designed to crush Cocoa Puffs cereal using compressed air. Participants express concerns about the feasibility and safety of the project, particularly regarding the pressure dynamics and the potential for rotation of the cereal during the crushing process. Suggestions include using a thin stream of air to initiate rotation, but doubts remain about the effectiveness and safety of the approach. Ultimately, the consensus leans towards caution, indicating that if significant safety concerns arise, the project may not be advisable.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics principles, particularly pressure dynamics.
  • Familiarity with compressed air systems and their safety protocols.
  • Knowledge of materials suitable for constructing pressurized containers.
  • Experience with basic engineering design and prototyping techniques.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the safety standards for constructing pressurized vessels.
  • Explore the principles of fluid dynamics related to air flow and pressure.
  • Investigate materials that can withstand high pressure without failure.
  • Learn about mechanisms for creating rotational motion in a confined space.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for aspiring engineers, science project participants, and educators interested in practical applications of physics and engineering principles, particularly in the context of safe experimentation with compressed air systems.

tionis
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For a science project/competition, my friend and I have the chance of building a kick butt device to dazzle the judges. Because I'm nuts about relativity and black holes (or maybe just nuts o0)), I thought maybe we could go for broke and build a transparent, pressurized box to pulverize the contents of a box of cocoa puffs cereal with nothing but compressed air. It would also be nice if we can make the cereal rotate as it is being crushed by the air. But because of the pressures involved, and the nightmare of sourcing parts and stuff, I'm not sure if it can be safely done or done at all, but I thought I ask anyways. Thoughts? :woot:
 
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Well if you pressured the box by inserting a very thin stream of air you might get some rotation before the pressure builds up too much but just off the top of my head I think the rotation would stop before the collapse occurred because the air would be dense enough by then that the stream wouldn't have as much effect. Just a thought.
 
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tionis said:
I'm not sure if it can be safely done
If you have to ask on an Internet forum, then the answer is probably no.
 
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