Not much in the way of science today, folks. Just the expansion of a gas as it travels from it's liquid state to the its, uh, gaseous state. If you remember correctly, liquids take up less volume than do gases. So, if you have, say, 20 oz. of a liquid in a sealed vessel and then it warms up to the point that it wants to erupt out of said vessel, you've got yourself an explosion.
But...what happens when that 20 oz vessel is in the middle of a watermelon? Let's find out...one...two-hoo...three (some guy yells out "Holy Shit!" at the end of the video, so turn your volume way up so that the folks in the office know you're not doing any real work):
The liquified
As I learned way back in Physical chemistry (aside from new and mystic methods of torture called "gas laws"), an explosion is nothing more than a gas expanding at a rate greater than the area it is contained in will allow. Kind of sucks the magic out of blowing shit up, doesn't it?
You're right, it doesn't.
20 comments:
That kid laughs like Spongebob! *snicker*
Anyway....
As the uber stellar nanny I am, I've been having the 5 year old boy I take care of enjoy Totally Blowing [STUFF] Up Tuesdays with me, Mjenks. He LOVES it!!!! Just wait 'til I show him this. He HATES fruit, thus he'll die with joy watching someone blow it up!
"An explosion is nothing more than a gas expanding at a rate greater than the area it is contained in will allow" sounds so boring. I define an explosion as the point where a dumb movie becomes cool.
After the Mentos and Diet Coke got old for making "pop bottle bombs" I thought the fad was to use dry ice in them. Easier to use, and you don't need to theive the thermos from your little brother's lunch box.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoTgOG5TSfw&feature=related
My daughter had a gymnastics recital Saturday. One group of girls did individual routines to the Wiggles Fruit Salad song.
I had just gotten that song out of my brain.
And now it's back.
Thanks a pantload, jenks.
"The gas in question is liquid nitrogen."
*shakes head* Mr. Jenks, does that sentence make any sense.
[Yes, I'm being that guy. Sorry.]
*goes to buy watermelon* You may never hear from me again.
This is good. I am and will always be a fan of the Mentos into the Diet Coke liter as well.
Science aside, explosions are, and will always be, cool. Period!
My hubby is a science guy, and taught high school between his master and phd. He did explosions of the week, until the school had to shut him down.
Wonder if they filmed any of them? Hmmmmm......
Haha, that was great! I love liquid nitrogen hijinx.
PS - Cora - Have you done the Diet Coke/Mentos experiment with your kids?
@ Cora: My four year old is learning to read, so I have a feeling that daddy/son time spent with him watching STUFF blow up in order to prep for these entries is drawing to an end.
@ Del-V: Is the point where the comely actress removes her top the point where a cool movie becomes classic?
@ Scope: Those people have no imagination. Yeah, it makes a good pop, hooray. BUT, if you put stuff in there like, oh, I dunno, oatmeal, chocolate syrup, jelly...then we're talking.
@ Sass: I've had that fucking song stuck in my head since 2002. Glad I could strike someone else down with that particularly foul affliction.
@ Chemgeek: *indignant stare*
Don't you have some finals to go and write?
@ Anna R: We'll remember you fondly.
@ LiLu: Yeah, but that's more an eruption. If I really want to see a fountain, I'll lay on my back when I take a piss.
@ Nej: My new goal: find an explosions video with Mot.
Er, Dr. Mot.
@ Soda and Candy: At grad school, someone once showed me how to drink liquid nitrogen. I've never been brave enough.
I'll let Cora answer the second one.
Show us a video in which the idiots who think kitchen gloves are adequate protection also do not stand back far enough to miss the splash back.
@ Soda and Candy: Not yet. But we did do one with vinegar and baking soda.
Seen Gallagher and been hit by his watermelon spew!
I actually paid for it too!
I wrote all my finals already Now, I'm wasting some time while giving the finals. I wrote that comment while giving my Biochem final, and I'm writing this comment while giving my Organic Final.
I know, I should be doing something productive.
Dude, that was awwwesome! Where did you say people could get their hands on liquid nitrogen?
Wait a minute, I work for an HVAC company, duh! I bet I can go pilfer some out back somewhere!
I used to do some backyard chemical work and often imagined that, if I effed up, my head would match that watermelon in look and feel.
I've been craving watermelon for a week. And those a-holes just blow one up, willy nilly.
I think on "In The Pipeline" (the post discussing the consequences of moronic "maintenance" of an LN2 cylinder by a syn group at Texas A+M) there's a comment describing the effects of LN2 on the intestinal tract, with the relevant response "You shouldn't drink anything that wants to be a gas at room temperature."
The thought of blowing my esophagus up seems...ungood?
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