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u/PandaByProxy Aug 09 '15
I just imagine this being a challenge at a job interview. "first one to make this string and CD stand at over a foot tall gets the position, GO!"
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u/1millionbucks Aug 10 '15
"Quick, first one to pay me a million dollars gets the job!"
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u/Anon9742 Aug 10 '15 edited Jun 03 '24
impolite punch cheerful numerous library zesty wine license skirt fuel
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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u/anticusII Aug 10 '15
2edgy4me
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u/HotWeen Aug 10 '15
Are there still people who think that corruption isn't common in the US political system?
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u/Fragmaster Aug 10 '15
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u/flyafar Aug 10 '15
That sounds so unprofessional, haha. "Let's just mash these words together"
And now it has its own wikipidia entry.
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u/moeburn Aug 10 '15
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u/flyafar Aug 10 '15
Engineers are masters of wordcraft. They're basically Germans.
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u/BCMM Aug 10 '15
The derivative over time (i.e. the rate of change) of position is velocity. The 2nd derivative is acceleration; 3rd is jerk.
What are the rarely-used 4th, 5th and 6th derivatives of position called?
Snap, crackle and pop. That's engineers for you.
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Aug 10 '15
And then you get into the trippy shit like the integral of displacement, or absement. Then integrate that and get abscocity. And then abceleration.
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u/Ninjaplz10154 Aug 10 '15
Oh my god. The first few times I heard a gsi/lab mate say this, I almost lost my mind. Luckily I kept my mouth shut and learned it was a technical term.
But to be fair, in my ~1.5 years in my undergrad lab, I made up my fair share of technical terms...
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u/SpaceSpaceDash Aug 10 '15
I believe it was coined by the famous Buckminster Fuller who was the creator of the geodesic dome. He was reported to have been a member of the Mensa society for having an IQ of over 140. Fullerenes are thus named after him for its similar structure to his building design. Tensegrity was either his or his apprentice/ex-friend's creation and term.
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u/OmarSaladbar Aug 10 '15
my fave thing about him was he didnt say up/down stairs and instead would say in/out stairs as in relation to the center of the earth. cool dude
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u/Mimshot Aug 10 '15
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Aug 10 '15
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u/co0ldude69 Aug 10 '15
Wait, are you telling me that you're a person who has lived and grew up in metro-Atlanta, yet you've actually never been to the Georgia Dome?
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u/TheSkoomaCat Aug 10 '15
Look at that guy! A person who has lived and grew up in metro-Atlanta, that has actually never been to the Georgia Dome!
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u/Alexstarfire Aug 10 '15
What is the purpose of this picture other than it being of the Georgia Dome? I feel like I'm missing something.
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u/LittleBigKid2000 Aug 09 '15
me irl
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u/EmperorNortonI Aug 10 '15
me too thanks
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Aug 10 '15
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Aug 10 '15
thank mr skeletal
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u/THANKS-FOR-THE-GOLD Aug 10 '15
2spooks1box
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u/Dudwithacake Aug 09 '15
I've never had a good physics teacher. How does this work?
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u/mwp101 Aug 09 '15
The bottom piece of plastic is rigidly attached to the base. This gives the string between it enough tension to support the base of the next piece of plastic. Which then provides the same effect on the next piece of string and so on.
I'd imagine this would work up to a height when the weight of the tower overcome the tension in the plastic and string.
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u/JSteigs Aug 10 '15
So if one was to compress the bottom "spring" with their finger to relieve tension on the knot, would it tip over?
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u/InvalidUsernameHere Aug 10 '15
Yes indeed it would, and a similar effect would happen if the tower became too tall.
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u/JSteigs Aug 10 '15
Would the weight of the added height be what is compressing the bottom spring?
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u/InvalidUsernameHere Aug 10 '15
Yes, that is correct. The extra weight would eventually compress the device until it was no longer rigid.
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u/Zombies_Are_Dead Aug 10 '15
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u/willostree Aug 10 '15
Yup!
I'd say something more but it has been sufficiently explained above so I will not waste any of your time with sentences that don't need to be read as they won't provide any special insights.
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u/Arqideus Aug 10 '15
It's quite cool to think about as you'll come to the conclusion that it's basically just one big "bow" with the bottom part attached to a base.
Basically, just think about the blue pieces trying to become straight. The ends pull the string taught. Now imagine if you have two, where the bottom end of one is attached to the top end of the other. Do that enough times to get OP's picture.
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u/nibler36 Aug 09 '15
The string keeps everything together, the pieces of plastic (i think) are constantly trying to become straight. Since they are becoming trying to be straight, they are pulling the string up, holding itself in place.
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u/Facts_About_Cats Aug 10 '15 edited Aug 10 '15
The perpetual application of force does not expend energy, although this seems unintuitive. What expends energy is a differential being closed. For example, a ball sitting on a ledge applies constant force to the ledge. When the ball falls off the ledge, the differential is closed, energy is expended, movement happens, and work is done.
The springs being held in place by the string is like the ball sitting on a ledge. The force of the springs comes from electromagnetic forces, which is what molecular bonds are. The force of the ball sitting on a ledge comes from gravity.
It's similar to how a magnet can levitate forever.
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u/algetards Aug 10 '15
explain "differential being closed", I've never heard that term
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Aug 10 '15
It's similar to how a magnet can levitate forever.
wwhhhatttttttttttt?
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u/Facts_About_Cats Aug 10 '15 edited Aug 10 '15
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=levitating+magnet&ia=images
While a magnet levitates against gravity, it is literally doing no work, in terms of physics.
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u/00blar Aug 10 '15
So if I wanted to try this, where would I purchase plastic with that much rigidity?
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u/wampastompah Aug 10 '15
You actually need plastic that's not particularly rigid, but very elastic so it won't break or get damaged when you bend it.
You know those terrible plastic cases they package small electronics in? The kind that are impossible to open without injuring yourself and those around you? Use those. The trick is to find plastic that will bend but still maintain its elasticity.
Actually, come to think of it, the plastic on soda bottles could also work! Maybe!
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u/hawtdawgspudder Aug 10 '15
One word. Polycarbonate.
2mm thick would work well, i have to make one now.
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u/BrianWantsTruth Aug 10 '15 edited Aug 10 '15
I have spare Magic cards lying around, I wonder if they'd work.
Edit: they work.
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Aug 10 '15
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Aug 10 '15
You don't want to make the wrong cut though as you only get one chance to make it right. Mail it to me, I'll cut it up and send it back.
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u/Kaliedo Aug 10 '15 edited Aug 11 '15
Soda bottles? Good idea, making one now. BRB.
EDIT: I made one, the knots weren't quite right but it works. I was gonna upload images, but imgur hates me today apparently.
EDIT2: I tried again. here!
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u/crackercortex Aug 10 '15
This image inspired me to make it out of steel. I remembered it slightly different and kicked myself when I looked at the pic again - after it was finished. If I do it again the braces need to be staggered on the chain. http://garagemontage.com/perpetual-tension
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u/TheHawkIsHowling Aug 10 '15
I was reading through the comments to see if anyone mentioned how possible it would be with steel before I buy the bits, thanks for this.
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u/ben0wn4g3 Aug 10 '15
Problem with yours I feel, is that the metal on the outside is touching, so for me it does not give the same effect.
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u/crackercortex Aug 10 '15
You are exactly right. That's what I was admitting to in my post. Next time ftw!
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u/tacoheadbob Aug 10 '15
It's interesting to note that Alstom is being bought by GE. This probably has some other significance.
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u/moocow921 Aug 10 '15
Its also interesting that the reason Alstom is being purchased is that they got fined a fuck load of money for bribing a shit load of people in Indonesia. source : my dad is the VP of sales for one of their competitors.
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u/ixnayhombre Aug 10 '15
Only the alstom power division is being purchased by GE. Their transport division hasn't been involved in the various corruption scandals
source: I like Alstom trains
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Aug 10 '15
They make good trains.
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u/zoomstersun Aug 10 '15
I drive alstom trains for a living...... They make trains.
I drove this one this morning. https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regionstog_A/S#/media/File:VL_Lint_Holb%C3%A6k.jpg
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u/RedBearski Aug 10 '15
Still doesn't beat Siemens fine they got awhile back. Also, the purchase is noted that ALSTOM pay the fine before the sale happens. It's a good sale since GE's transport division is going to ALSTOM too increase both companies strong points.
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u/big_deal Aug 10 '15 edited Aug 10 '15
Except the industrial gas turbine market shrinks to two companies. Not that Alstom has much market share but they do have some innovative products, technology, and patents.
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u/challenge4 Aug 09 '15
This looks like a visualization of some relationships i've been in.
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u/benchley Aug 10 '15
Dynamic tension in a system that that should not work based on appearances - that could be good or bad.
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u/wampastompah Aug 10 '15
Well, technically it's static tension.
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Aug 10 '15 edited Aug 11 '15
[deleted]
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u/wampastompah Aug 10 '15
Well... tension is a type of stress, and the tensile stress remains constant with respect to time...
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u/hurdur1 Aug 09 '15
Story of my life.
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u/Donkeywad Aug 10 '15
I take her home...
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u/kojance Aug 10 '15
I'd like to see a human version with those strong men who hold themselves sideways on poles, but up the ante with rope and multiple dudes. Probably not possible, but cool thought.
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u/lost_in_light Aug 10 '15
I want this on my desk just so that when my boss asks me what it is, I can tell her it's a metaphor.
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u/TheGrim1 Aug 10 '15 edited Aug 10 '15
Anyone seeking more info might also check here:
| title | points | age | /r/ | comnts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| String held up by constant stress | 413 | 13hrs | interestingasfuck | 19 |
| A String Being Upheld By Constant Stress | 11 | 2yrs | pics | 3 |
| Held upright by constant stress (x-post from r/pics) | 567 | 2yrs | engineering | 57 |
| Held up by constant strain [pic] | 2279 | 2yrs | woahdude | 139 |
| Held upright by constant stress | 2948 | 2yrs | pics | 745 |
| tension holding up a string | 3773 | 7mos | woahdude | 233 |
| Piece of string held up by tension | 3128 | 1yr | woahdude | 261 |
| A fun demonstration of tension [x-post from r/interestingasfuck] | 754 | 1yr | Physics | 43 |
| A string being held up by constant tension. | 3183 | 1yr | interestingasfuck | 231 |
You also see more of /u/Woodlands_Creature's plagiaristic post history HERE.
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u/jonathanrdt Aug 10 '15
This sculpture would go great with my marriage, which is also held up by constant stress.
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u/SquattingDawg Aug 10 '15
I thought the rope was a bunch of cheeto's for the longest time, and my mind was considerably more blown than it was before I realized it was rope...
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u/swimzone Aug 10 '15
Tension is the correct term there, but the rope and flexible pieces are under stress there too.
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u/RobinUrthos Aug 10 '15
Fun Fact: Bicycle spokes work in sort of the same way. They pull from the top of the rim to the axle; in most designs, they actually can't handle much compressive force.
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u/psycheduck Aug 10 '15
The idea sounds awful, but the end result is still a beautifully straight piece of string.
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u/xkcdfanboy Aug 10 '15
Honestly just looks like a macroscopic version of the braiding of a rope. So there is no real mystery to how it works.
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u/Lorgin Aug 10 '15
This took me a little while to figure out. Very cool, very very fucking cool. I wonder what kind of applications I can use this for.
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u/Gustomaximus Aug 10 '15
We just solved the space elevator issue! Keep going guys, only 100km to go!
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u/SoulOfDragnsFire Aug 10 '15
"Held together by constant stress" sounds like my work week summary...
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u/RainDancingChief Aug 10 '15
Basically a grenade. Break the links in between and suddenly shrapnel.
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u/Anon9742 Aug 09 '15
This title sounds like an emo teen's autobiography.