The physics of big sack over beautiful wall [View all]

[struggle4progress]

https://media.wired.com/photos/596929bb2429f82ff6dd991d/master/w_532,c_limit/spring_2017_sketches_key2.jpg

RHETT ALLAIN
SCIENCE
07.14.17 06:31 PM

Suppose someone builds a wall. A great and tall wall that is both impenetrable and beautiful. Who knows—maybe it's even solar powered. This wall stands 10 meters tall and goes on and on and on.

Now suppose someone wants to toss a bag of stuff over that wall. A big bag with a mass of, oh, 60 pounds. (I will say 27 kilograms, because kilograms are better.) How much force must be applied to get this bag over that wall? And what happens if the bag bonks someone on the other side? ...

... This would require an average throwing force of 2,646 newtons, or almost 600 pounds. That makes this one tough sack-throwing hombre, someone not to be messed with.

But wait! But what if that hombre hurls that sack over that mighty wall and bonks someone on the head? ... Well, the physics is exactly the same, but backward. If you caught this sack on the other side with a catching distance of 1 meter, you would need an average force of 2,646 Newtons. If it hit you in the head, it might stop over a much shorter distance of about 0.25 meters. In this case, there would be an impact force of 10,584 newtons. Bam. That would hurt. Hopefully someone gives this massive magnificent wall some windows so you can see the sacks being tossed over ...

https://www.wired.com/story/trump-heroin-wall-physics/