1R20.28 - Smashing Spheres - Aluminum Foil

Code Number:
1R20.28
Demo Title:
Smashing Spheres - Aluminum Foil
Condition:
Excellent
Principle:
Buckling Instability
Area of Study:
Mechanics
Equipment:
2 inch steel spheres, Aluminum Foil.
Procedure:

Place a sheet of aluminum foil between two large steel spheres as they are smashed together.  Ripples will appear in the aluminum foil that are reported to be produced by buckling instability of the aluminum around the point of contact.

References:
  • James Rohr, Si-Yin Wang, and Vitali F. Nesterenko, "'Ripples' in an Aluminum Pool?", TPT, Vol. 56, #5, May 2018, p. 281.



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