Why do some electricity pylons collapse in extreme temperatures ?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding why electricity pylons may collapse during extreme temperatures, focusing on the physical principles involved. The subject area includes concepts from physics related to structural integrity and material properties under varying environmental conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the impact of high winds and snow accumulation on pylons, questioning how these factors relate to physics principles. There is uncertainty about the relevant physics formulas or equations to apply in this context.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the materials used in pylons and their responses to temperature changes. Some guidance has been offered regarding the effects of environmental factors, but no consensus has been reached on a specific approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the question is part of an SQA National 5 Physics specimen paper, which is open-ended and lacks additional hints. There is an emphasis on the need to articulate the physics concepts involved without specific guidance on the expected answers.

fiveirvines4
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Using physics knowledge, why do some electricity pylons collapse in extreme temperatures.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


Don't know the physics formulas or equations that could be used. High winds would force the pylons to collapse as the structure hasn't been made to withstand highwinds of extreme speeds. Also snow could fall on them turning to ice making them heavy and then collapsing. Not sure how to explain this in physics terms. answer is for 3 marks in SQA National 5 Physics (Scotland)

Thank you so much
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Is this a question from a current SQA National 5 Physics test?
 
Electric pylons and extreme weather

It is from the sqa specimen paper on the sqa website, but the answer states its open ended with no more hints.
 
fiveirvines4 said:
It is from the sqa specimen paper on the sqa website, but the answer states its open ended with no more hints.


Okay. Just checking.

Think about what materials make up pylons and what they are connected to. How do temperature changes affect those materials?
 

Similar threads

Why Do Pylons Collapse in Extreme Temperatures?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Process which electricity is generated (Nuclear power)
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
MHB Simple Model of 9/11/2001 World Trade Center Collapse
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
Why some solids are electrical conductors
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Dam Failures and Infrastructure Damage in a Changing Environment
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
Admissions How Can I Improve My Chances of Getting into a PhD Program in Engineering?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Graduate Why do I never hear that the BB was caused by a collapsing black hole?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Cooking (Thermodynamics) Problems
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
5K
Synhelion -- Using solar heliostat farms to create liquid fuels from Water Vapor and CO2
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Undergrad A Bold New Take on Quantum Theory
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
6K