They’re attacking the problem completely wrong, fwiw.
The basic math for calculating pressure imbalance on curved surfaces is done with thin wall pressure vessel calculations.
But for a dome that large made of glass, or clear ceramic/plastic you only have to look at a small section of the surface and ask, can walky punch it hard enough to start a crack. If yes, then Walky can break through by starting and growing a crack with successive punches. Then the water pressure will take care of the rest.
So the real question is what are the mech properties of the dome and how hard/fast can Walky punch. If Walky’s fist moves fast enough, is hard enough then the energy he delivers can be concentrated into a small enough instant that cracking becomes inevitable no matter how small his hands are.
I mean, considering they can hear Walky go “ow!” from inside the dome, I’d say the material is not that thick either so it’s probably not super sturdy.
I think they’re commenting on the sound being produced, hence displacing air. I never did well in physics but I vaguely remember two things that relate to this:
1: Sound travels faster in water than in the air, therefore one could say it is easier for sound to propagate through water.
2: energy will take the path of least resistance.
given these two facts we can assume that most of the sound made by the punches would leave through the ocean and not enter the dome.
Set the bomb
You’re those Alien fighters?
I’m not unlocking this door until you’ve seen each other naked!
Walkerton, settle down!
Hey, Dina. Am I sexy?
Hey, you. What’s your name?
Pastor Luke
Girls — Tackle!
You’re creepy.
What’s gotten into you?
It’s times like this that I understand why Head Alien is always cranky. I mean, they see Walky trying to break in and what do they do? Sound the alarm? Send robot sharks out to stop him? No, they stand around and debate how hard it would be to get in.
Originally posted:
February 7, 2003
I don’t know nearly enough about physics to know if what these aliens are talking about makes sense or not.
They’re attacking the problem completely wrong, fwiw.
The basic math for calculating pressure imbalance on curved surfaces is done with thin wall pressure vessel calculations.
But for a dome that large made of glass, or clear ceramic/plastic you only have to look at a small section of the surface and ask, can walky punch it hard enough to start a crack. If yes, then Walky can break through by starting and growing a crack with successive punches. Then the water pressure will take care of the rest.
So the real question is what are the mech properties of the dome and how hard/fast can Walky punch. If Walky’s fist moves fast enough, is hard enough then the energy he delivers can be concentrated into a small enough instant that cracking becomes inevitable no matter how small his hands are.
Thank you. The Alien’s argument never sounded quite right to me, but I could never quite figure out why.
Still, it’s rather impressive Walky can deliver a punch strong enough to break thick glass, underwater, with apparently no way to brace himself.
I mean, considering they can hear Walky go “ow!” from inside the dome, I’d say the material is not that thick either so it’s probably not super sturdy.
Abductee powers.
I think they’re commenting on the sound being produced, hence displacing air. I never did well in physics but I vaguely remember two things that relate to this:
1: Sound travels faster in water than in the air, therefore one could say it is easier for sound to propagate through water.
2: energy will take the path of least resistance.
given these two facts we can assume that most of the sound made by the punches would leave through the ocean and not enter the dome.
maybe?
“He can’t POSSIBLY be THAT stup–”
“um”
Set the bomb
You’re those Alien fighters?
I’m not unlocking this door until you’ve seen each other naked!
Walkerton, settle down!
Hey, Dina. Am I sexy?
Hey, you. What’s your name?
Pastor Luke
Girls — Tackle!
You’re creepy.
What’s gotten into you?
Now all I can think of are the underwater domes collapsing from Sealab 2021, and the Archers (which referred directly to Sealab).
Quite the comedy staple, come to think of it.
There goes Pod 6. Those jerks deserved it!
As long as it doesn’t affect the kelp harvest.
Well, the pressure at any given point is directed inwards, and the pressure outside is higher thsn inside, so Walky could totally manage it.
It’s times like this that I understand why Head Alien is always cranky. I mean, they see Walky trying to break in and what do they do? Sound the alarm? Send robot sharks out to stop him? No, they stand around and debate how hard it would be to get in.
Well, talking is a free action.
Uh-oh, spaghetti-o’s.
What’s wrong?
I can’t find the start button
The being who ruined my plans!
Mail call!
Segue
Actually, with the dome big enough, the pressure at the base would be greater than the pressure at the top.