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hav0c
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There is a drop of mercury in an elevator (flat on the ground).
during freefall what will happen to the mercury.
during freefall what will happen to the mercury.
mfb said:It should form a (nearly) perfect sphere, probably floating upwards very slowly.
I would not expect that it reaches the top before the elevator crashes, but this might require some simulation (or experiment ;)) to find out.plus if it floats upwards then it should oscillate inside the elevator after touching the top.
Emilyjoint said:I don't understand what is mean by switching off gravity gives the mercury a kick.
If I simply drop a plate with water on it I don't think the water gets a kick...it just falls like the plate.
They will compress the floor (and in theory even themself) a bit, the corresponding restoring force would give them a small kick, too. But the effect would be smaller, and negligible if the floor is some hard material.If I drop a plate with ball bearings on it the ball bearings don't get a kick, do they?
mfb said:They will compress the floor (and in theory even themself) a bit, the corresponding restoring force would give them a small kick, too. But the effect would be smaller, and negligible if the floor is some hard material.
mfb said:The kick is done before separation. It does not come from gravity, but the situation before the elevator falls is necessary to get it. Think of it like a spring which gets compressed by gravity, when the elevator is resting. In free fall, the compressing force is gone, and the spring extends.
now its all clear... http://kontaktniy.orgmfb said:The kick is done before separation...
"Mercury in Freefall" refers to the phenomenon where the liquid metal mercury is used in certain types of elevators to control the movement of the elevator car. This is important in elevator mechanics because it allows for smooth and precise movement of the elevator car between floors.
In elevators that use mercury, the metal is contained in a sealed cylinder that is connected to a vacuum system. When the elevator car moves up or down, the mercury inside the cylinder also moves, creating a change in pressure that is used to control the speed and direction of the elevator car.
Using mercury in elevators allows for more precise and smooth movement of the elevator car compared to traditional methods. It also requires less maintenance and has a longer lifespan, making it a cost-effective option for building owners.
While there are potential safety concerns with mercury, elevators that use it are designed to be very safe. The mercury is contained in a sealed cylinder and is not exposed to passengers. Additionally, modern elevators have safety features in place to prevent any accidents related to the use of mercury.
Yes, there are alternatives to using mercury in elevators, such as using a hydraulic system or a motor with a variable frequency drive. However, these options may not provide the same level of precision and smoothness as mercury. Ultimately, the choice of elevator technology depends on the specific needs and preferences of the building owner.