Applies to questions related to common objects and frequently experienced effects. Typically, these questions require explaining how the laws of physics are applied to a common situation, how objects work, etc.
2
votes
2answers
215 views
Using Electrostatic Force to Repel Dust From an Object
I have two 4,000V, 2.5mA, DC power supplies and am attempting to use them in such a way to cause a 6x4x1-inch ABS plastic object to repel dust from the ambient air and prevent this dust from settling ...
7
votes
1answer
118 views
The quickest 6-3 play in baseball: to bounce or not to bounce?
What's the quickest way the get the ball (say from shortstop) into the first-baseman's glove, given some fixed initial (throwing) speed? Directly or with one bounce?
I'm fairly sure that the answer ...
3
votes
1answer
98 views
What ring weave disposition should be the most resistant against stabbing and/or how to determine it
In a website that I am studying so I can build a Chain Mail, I have found a page featuring a lot of different Ring Weaves to build them.
I want to determine which one is the best to provide ...
0
votes
1answer
53 views
Can random constructive interference with sound waves cause damage?
Any two sound waves have a random chance to constructively interfere with each other at a given spot and this will cause an increase or decrease in pressure. So is it possible that a large number of ...
5
votes
0answers
50 views
Ringing sound when you flip a coin?
When you flip a coin, you hear a ringing sound. I know that the source of the sound is the thumbnail hitting the coin, but it seems to be filtered by the spinning of the coin. Specifically, the faster ...
5
votes
0answers
196 views
Neodymium Electromagnet?
I am interface designer that occasionally steps out and does some product/concept design. The last one I'm working on is something that would require me to make a matrix of little electro magnets, and ...
4
votes
0answers
162 views
Why is it hard to breathe when cycling against the wind?
Sometimes when I bicycle against hard wind, I find it difficult to breathe. Others I have discussed it with have also noticed this effect.
A possible related phenomenon that I heard from an ...
4
votes
0answers
128 views
Why does the milk frother on my coffee machine make so much noise?
I have a Sunbeam home espresso machine with a steam wand. The steam roars out straight from the end of the wand. When it's first placed in the cold milk it really screams! Once the milk has a bit of a ...
3
votes
0answers
97 views
Can you safely draw sparks from the nose of an electrified boy?
From Purcell's Electricity and Magnetism
A spectacular conclusion of one of the popular exhibitions of the time
was likely to be the electrification of a boy suspended by many silk
threads ...
2
votes
0answers
51 views
Seashell occurrance
Sometimes, sea shells accumulate on the sea shore, but sometimes they will instead be dragged back out to sea. What are the main physical factors that determine which of these things will happen?
1
vote
0answers
73 views
Is putting a charged balloon up to a neutral wall polarization AND temporary induction, or just polarization?
Is putting a balloon that is charged up against a wall and having it stick polarization AND charging by temporary induction, or just polarization?
0
votes
0answers
66 views
On a Pilates reformer, how much resistance is from springs and how much from weight of user?
Here's picture of a Pilates Reformer machine: image
How much of the force required to move the carriage is based on the resistance of the springs, and how much is based on the weight of the user? ...
0
votes
0answers
1k views
How to determine size of a Heat Exchanger?
I am designing a Tube heat-exchanger, similar to this:
My process requires water (at room temperature, 18C ~ 22C) that is being pumped out of a small tank (300 Liters) to be heated in a ...
