Tuesday 10 November 2009

Smooth or bumpy ice

I found this old book, origionally written in the 1920s in Russia, with the translated title "Physics for Entertainment." I have to say, this is one of the most interesting books I've ever picked up. It's full of fun brain teasers like this:

What's more slippery, smooth or bumpy ice? Why?

4 comments:

gpc said...

You are getting to be more fun to read all the time. ;-)

flying fish said...

bumpy. I'm guessing because when it's really smooth there's a sort of suction with the melted water that makes it slippery. Besides, I always fall on my arse when the ice is bumpy.

gpc said...

Wow, and I thought smooth, because there isn't anything to stop the momentum or divert the glaze from temp changes.

flying fish said...

Wishing I could edit my answer to add: "surface tension" instead of "kind of suction"...will maintain the fall on my arse part though.


Click for Fairbanks, Alaska Forecast