Slashdot Mirror
Avalanches Simulated With 500,000 Ping-Pong Balls
An anonymous reader submits "Ping-pong ball avalanche experiments have been carried out for the last three years at the Miyanomori ski jump in Sapporo, Japan, to study three-dimensional granular flows. Up to 550,000 balls were released near the top of the landing slope. The balls then flowed past video cameras positioned close to the flow, which measured individual ball velocities in three dimensions, and air pressure tubes at different heights. The flows developed a complicated three-dimensional structure with a distinct head and tail, lobes and 'eyes.' See for yourself, it's quite interesting!"
no, you're too old ;)
"Hey Bill, we've got tons of ping-pong balls and a very elaborate and sophisticated means of tracking their movement - what should we do with them?"
"Uhh, use them to predict the Powerball results and retire on private carribean islands, unique ones of which we own for every day of the month?"
"No, you fool! Avalanche research is clearly the way!"
The only tragic victim of this experiment was this man.
A bespecticled bunny rabbit and moose were seen running from the scene.
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. -Frederick Douglass
I hate ping pong avalanches.
The hardest part is digging yourself out with nothing but a ping pong paddle...
"Can of worms? The can is open... the worms are everywhere."
"Click on any of the pictures to get an enlargment."
But my coffeepot does talk to me!
I am one of many. My idea is not unique, nor do I expect my voice alone to sway you. I speak in a chorus of opinion.
This is pretty cool, sort of an "avalanche light" experience.
They could rescue people with chihuahuas carrying cans of diet pepsi.
Cole's Law: Thinly sliced cabbage
Maybe this means we can use badgers to predict avalanches! =)
Please consider making an automatic monthly recurring donation to the EFF