4 ms·
I had this as a question on a freshman physics problem set. A few of us were skeptical, but we tried it and it works: http://ugcs.caltech.edu/~ohazi/cd_tower.j
by ohazi 13y ago
I had this as a question on a freshman physics problem set. A few of us were skeptical, but we tried it and it works:
http://ugcs.caltech.edu/~ohazi/cd_tower.jpg http://ugcs.caltech.edu/~ohazi/cd_tower.jpg
- kijin 13y agoAren't CD cases slightly heavier on one side? There's a pivot mechanism on one side and not the other; the CD isn't placed at the exact center of the case; and the paper insert (as well as any staples it contains) can also affect the balance. So you might be able to extend the tower a few millimeters more than what mathematical algorithms allow, by aligning the heavier side toward the desk.
- ohazi 13y agoSure, but this is physics, so we can stick with our spherical cows and other first order approximations without losing too much sleep... :-)