Why might a glass vase survive a fall onto a carpeted floor but not onto a concrete floor?
why might a glass vase survive a fall onto a carpeted floor but not onto a concrete floor?
Explain you answer.
Chemistry question.
why might a glass vase survive a fall onto a carpeted floor but not onto a concrete floor?
Explain you answer.
Chemistry question.
CaliforniaDream
on November 30th, -0001
Logical physics.
When a vase hits the carpet, the energy is absorbed as the vase contacts the carpet and it’s “padding”. Doesn’t need much. As the “padding” of the carpet in compacted by the vase, the force of energy is absorbed and dispersed into the carpet.
However, if the vase drops to the concrete, all the energy is concentrated on the point of impact with dispersion causing the force to react and go back into the vase causing a “break factor” greater than the vase can withstand.
FallingMoon
on November 30th, -0001
Simple physics. The “impulse” of the glass and the floor is calculated by this equation:
Impulse = force on object x time of contact
The impulse is the same in both examples. The glass is dropped from the same height each trial, yet it does not break on the carpet.
The reason it does not break on the carpet is the glass vase spends a longer time in contact with the carpet at the moment of collision than the glass vase dropped on the concrete floor. In other words, the carpet “cushions” the glass vase by having “give” when the glass hits the carpet. The time in contact with the carpet is longer since the carpet “gives” when the glass hits it.
Look at the equation again. Since the impulse is the same in both examples we can see that if the contact time is larger for the carpet, the force on the glass is smaller to compensate and keep the two impulses equal.
force felt x CONTACT TIME (for carpet) = FORCE FELT x contact time (for concrete)
Big time means little force, small time means big force.
SoftballPlayer
on November 30th, -0001
The carpeted floor cushions the glass making it not shatter into a million pieces. The concrete floor is hard and it makes the glass break!!
matrixmaruda
on November 30th, -0001
the carpet is soft…and will dissipate, or absorb, the energy produced from gravity pulling it towards the earth……if it were to hit the concrete floor….the concrete won’t give very much at all…..so all that energy is transfered to the glass in the vase…which most likely won’t be able to withstand it…and…break…….it’s the same principal behind airbags in your car…….or the air soles in your shoes….ya dig!?
Kea
on November 30th, -0001
Chemistry?Not sure
If I had to guess I would assume that it had something to do with the resonance of the vase hitting the various surfaces. this is of course that the vase is hitting exactly and precisely the same way both times. Very hard to duplicate!. then again would it not have to do, if the glass was tempered? the heating and cooler effect would cause the molecular structure of the glass to align itself in a very strong matrix.
Species
on November 30th, -0001
the carpet can absorb more energy on impact then the concrete could.
SymphonyOfSound
on November 30th, -0001
because the carpeting has padding and the concrete floor is hard
Zoe
on November 30th, -0001
Softer ground. The carpet has lots of surface area for weight of the vase to be displaced. So its not 2lbs hitting one point on the ground, like in the case of the concrete floor, but the weight of the vase being spread out over the fibers of the carpet. Since carpet is make up of many fibers. Sort of like how you can sit on a bed of nails and be okay but not one nail.