Ever used Physics knowledge to play a practical joke?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of physics and engineering knowledge to create practical jokes or pranks. Participants share anecdotes and examples of how they or others have employed technical skills in humorous ways.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about experiences using physics knowledge for pranks, suggesting a curiosity about the intersection of technical skills and humor.
  • Another participant references the MIT engineering department's reputation for pranks, indicating a cultural aspect related to engineering education.
  • A participant recounts a personal story involving a modified RC circuit that caused a lamp to blink, leading to a humorous misunderstanding from their mother.
  • Another participant echoes the MIT reference and adds a playful rivalry between Cambridge UK and Cambridge Massachusetts regarding pranking culture.
  • A different participant shares an experience of unintentionally installing a digital readout upside-down, which they decided to leave as is for comedic effect.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on specific pranks but share various anecdotes, indicating a general interest in the topic without resolving any disagreements.

Contextual Notes

Some anecdotes lack detailed technical explanations or context, and the stories are based on personal experiences that may not be universally applicable.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in the humorous applications of physics and engineering, as well as those curious about the culture of pranking within academic environments.

ChromeBit
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I'm not sure if I'm going to get any answers here, but I was just wondering... have any of you ever used your physics (or engineering/electrical) knowledge to play some kind of prank on someone?
 
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Not me, but IIRC the MIT engineering dept. is famous for it.
 
This was decades ago, so I forget the exact details, but the story goes something like the following.

In high school electronics class we built a simple RC circuit that made a small neon bulb flash. I modified my project so that the circuit triggered a power SCR or triac. I put the whole circuit in a hobbyist box that plugged into the wall, and put an outlet was in one side of the box.

While my mother was out, I plugged her bedside lamp into the box. She came home, turned on her lamp, which immediately started blinking, and said "George! Come quick! My light is going to explode!"
 
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WWGD said:
Not me, but IIRC the MIT engineering dept. is famous for it.

Not me either, but Cambridge UK beats Cambridge Mass :-p
http://babylon.acad.cai.cam.ac.uk/college/past/legend/index.php

2619368728_0ddd8bbfa0.jpg


4958884-large.jpg
 
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I installed a digital readout upside-down. Didn't do it on purpose but after I noticed it, I thought, let it be :devil:.
 

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