When glass bowl is dropped onto a hard surface, if often bounces a few times before it finally smashes. As the kenetic energy of the bowl is much reduced on each bounce, this seems counter intuitive. (and quite disappointing when you are raising your hopes that it will survive). If I were to catch the bowl the bounce before it finally smashed (assuming I knew which bounce that would be), would I notice any visible damage? If not, would be bowl be in an invisibly weakened state?
2006-10-12 23:05:41 · 3 answers · asked by amania_r 7 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
this depends on a number of factors, but here are some a few possible causes:
1) The first bounce weakens the structure of the glass, allowing the second impact to break the glass.
2) The first impact hits an an angle that the structure can withstand (for example, straight down - the way the bowl is designed to be strong). Often as it bounces it will rotate and hit a spot that is weaker to the overall structure.
3) (unlikely) The first impact adds energy to the structure and crystallises it, making weaker and vulunerable.
These are the only physical reasons I can think of.
2006-10-13 01:11:50 · answer #1 · answered by Stuart T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont think this happens glass object can't bounce without breaking
2006-10-13 07:51:09 · answer #2 · answered by Manpreet 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It'll break as it hits the ground. Don't try it at home.
2006-10-13 06:13:15 · answer #3 · answered by King of Hearts 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋