Wouldn't that only be possible if there was no resistance? It seems like it would be impossible for a building that size to fall in only 10 seconds. Is that physically possible?
2007-03-13 14:19:36 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
I am not sure of the time of collapse but it could well be 10sec, after collapsing occurred. Point is the collpase did not start to occur until well after the plane had impacted the building. The general and widely held reason as to why the collpase occurred is due to the poor fire rating of the primary structural columns - which are normally sprayed with vermiculite or similar. The fire retardent could also have been damaged during impact.
Physically: S = ut + 1/2at^2
S = distance
u = initial velocity - which is zero (starting from rest)
a = acceleration (9.81m/s^2)
t = time in seconds
So for 10sec the distance travelled is 490.5m, which is greater than the height of the world trade towers. Obviously there is no resistance in the above equation, but yes it is possible.
2007-03-13 22:44:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a very good question. I have suggested on many blogs that the collapse be modeled with a computer program to definitely find out the mechanism of the collapse. However, the science on this issue appears to have been repressed by the government.
The current theory is that the fires weakened the structure to the point of spontaneous collapse, and that the collapse propagated downwards. There have been energy calculations that use the assumption that each floor just snapped. However, the acceleration times that are required for a 10s collapse are not physically plausible, in my opinion. Unless some other factor was at work, such as explosive charges, for which there has been some circumstantial evidence.
It is not only a question of WTC1 and WTC2, but also WTC7, which collapsed later that day, in a very precise and rapid manner. So keep asking and do not give up until you get a sound answer.
Right now, I do not believe that a possible demolition of WTC1 WTC2 or WTC7 has been conclusively refuted. A modeling of the collapse would bring certainty, if and when it is performed. I believe a dynamic modeling of the collapse will prove that demolition charges were involved in all three buildings.
2007-03-13 21:25:51 · answer #2 · answered by gaurav19671031 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Yes, because of motion. If any 2 things, of diffrent sizes are droped at the same time,and height, they will fall at the same time. For every action there is an equal but opposite reaction. So if the plane was going so fast, every ten seconds thats how fast it will fall. Hope that helped, I'm not very good, with Phyisical Science!
2007-03-13 21:26:24 · answer #3 · answered by Jon Hutchison 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the normal way of such a building collapse...the fall of the first top ceilings would represent an unexpected stress of impact on the lower one, and the chain starts down to the bottom. same like the brick arranged with a space on top of each other,that the karate player hits and breaks all of them. Actually he breaks the top one with a strong blow, and that top one will do the remaining job for him.Impact failures are sudden and take a short lapse of time.
2007-03-13 21:33:18 · answer #4 · answered by seraj4 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The best Civil Engineering says it collapsed under its own weight as several of the higher floors loaded excessively those below and it was then a domino effect due to sheer weight.
Why all these other answers when this is a well known fact especially on this Engineering site???????
2007-03-13 22:51:11 · answer #5 · answered by James M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because of the Acceleration 10m/s. Even though it is not that much due to the air flow around us. but you can calculate the speed of the falling object and how much time does it takes~!
2007-03-13 23:06:01 · answer #6 · answered by hong_wei886 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you mean 10 seconds after impact? or 10 seconds for the entire thing to totally collapse?
2007-03-13 21:26:57 · answer #7 · answered by GG noob #2 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
only with engineered explosives to make it free fall. Otherwise the building would tend to lean and fall like a tree rather than fall like a controlled demolition.
2007-03-13 21:23:56 · answer #8 · answered by fade_this_rally 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
There are many people who believe it was a demolition, personally the only think i know is the many people dies that day..and may they rest in peace
2007-03-13 21:22:48 · answer #9 · answered by 100% Español 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is like chopping wood with an ax. things in motion stay in motion and once the center core structure is damaged it will crumble to the ground.
2007-03-13 21:25:06 · answer #10 · answered by droopydawg001 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋