a question about physics..?

Question

for example if you hold a wishbone and want to break it. How do I break it to split it exactly half? this is a physics question.. can I equal the force in both of my hands to split the bone exactly half or is there something in physics that contradicts it?

Answer 1

Fracture in an object is pretty unpredictable. The molecular structure helps to determine where it will break. One way to ensure an even split is to introduce a notch right in the middle. The wishbone will tend to break at the notch due to the excess stress caused by the notch being there.

Answer 2

It's not really a question of physics. The wishbone will almost never break exactly in half because of the variations in the material.

Each half of the wishbone is not an exact mirror of the other, it is an organic structure that only has symmetry on a macro level. When you examine it more closely, you will find vast differences in the fine structure. Therefore, one side of the wishbone will invariably be more structurally sound than the other. If you apply equal force to both halves, the bone will break on the less sound side.

If the bone WERE symmetrical down to a fine enough level, the exact point where it would break would still not be in the center. The center of that arch is one of the strongest points. The load of the forces applied will be strongest at some particular point along the structure. In the case of a wishbone - the spot where it normally breaks, just blow the central arch on either side. If the two sides are close enough to being identical, and the forces are being applied equally and simultaneously, the bone will actually break into three segments. One in each hand, and the center part. The physics behind it are complicated and it delves more into structural engineering than physics.

I actually had this happen once after Thanksgiving dinner.

Answer 3

The wishbone will break at 1) the weakest point and 2)the opposite end of the hardest point as there is where the stress will focus. Therefore you will have to make a cut at the true half of the wishbone.

Answer 4

The highest stress point(s) as you apply pressure do not lie along the axis of the bone. Therefore, the bone simply can't split along its true middle.

Doug

Answer 5

It's the quality of the bone that you can't know by simply looking at it. The bone has some determination on where it breaks too.

Answer 6

It is possible but probably impossible. The only way that could happen if that both halves are exactly the same size and shape which is never the case.

Answer 7

the bone will break at it's weakest point usually.