1F20.25 - Bed of Nails - Smash a Block

Code Number:
1F20.25
Demo Title:
Bed of Nails - Smash a Block
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Pressure vs. Surface Area
Area of Study:
Mechanics

Disclaimer

Equipment:
Large and Small Beds of Nails, Protective Shield, Safety Mask, and Sledge Hammer.
Procedure:

Place one of the large bed of nails on the floor and have someone lay on it.  Provide a protective pillow for the head.  Cover the face with the protective Plexiglas plate and then place a cement block on the chest of the volunteer "victim".  Break the block with a sledge hammer.

References:
  • Gerardo Giordano, "The Physics of Warfare", TPT, Vol. 53, #3, March 2015, p. 151.
  • Huang Guo-xiong, "Unbroken Eggs", TPT, Vol. 34, #5, May 1996, p. 311.
  • .H.T. Hudson, "The Most Obvious Explanation Is Not Always Correct", TPT, Vol. 26, #1, Jan. 1988, p. 34.
  • Dennis P. Zicko, "Demonstration: A Nail Driven Into Wood", TPT, Vol. 18, #1, Jan. 1980, p. 50.
  • Mario Iona, "Letters - Force is Essential", TPT, Vol. 18, #4, Apr. 1980, p. 256.
  • James C. Dennis, "The Stephen F. Austin Traveling Science Show" (Figure 2), TPT, Vol. 16, #1, Jan. 1978, p. 12.
  • Gerald L. Hodgson, "Weight Distribution in A Bed of Nails Sandwich", TPT, Vol. 13, #1, Jan. 1975, p. 52.
  • Manfred Bucher, "The Bed of Nails Revisited", AJP, Vol. 56, #9, Sept. 1988, p. 806.
  • "Strength", Guinness World Records 2003, "Greatest Weight Broken On Chest While Lying On Bed Of Nails", p. 38.
  • David Kutliroff, "35. Fakir Physics", 101 Classroom Demonstrations and Experiments For Teaching Physics, p. 80.
  • Jearl Walker, "1.56. Beds of Nails", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 27.
  • "F-035. Seat and Bed of Nails", DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook, 1993.
  • G. D. Freier and F. J. Anderson, "Ml-2", A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.