June 27, 2008: Very Big Ball - Page 2

BigV · 06-27-2008, 05:44 PM

Why make it in the shape of a sphere?

A sphere is the shape that has the highest volume to surface area ratio, but I don't see any compelling reason to have to conserve surface area for this counterweight. It seems like it would be a wasteful use of space compared to, say, a cylinder, perhaps a cylinder with a hemispherical lower end. Since the whole weight will swing in an arc described by the radius of the cable and ball, it would seem that there would be empty space in the swing path that could otherwise have been used to add mass, had they departed from their (nearly) spherical choice.

Perhaps there were aesthetic reasons for the shape I don't understand.

xoxoxoBruce · 06-27-2008, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigV

Why make it in the shape of a sphere?

The cables can be attached at points around the center of mass and the sphere will clear the cables as it swings.

BeltNah · 06-28-2008, 02:28 AM

There are a lot of reasons as to why it is a sphere. I haven't got the time to go into it though. You will have to trust me.

Nice find Bruce.

HungLikeJesus · 06-28-2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigV

Why make it in the shape of a sphere?

...

It's the Feng-shui.

breakingnews · 06-27-2008, 09:44 PM

I've seen it - pretty cool (and big).

The guy on the cell phone is asking someone if there was an earthquake, but he was told there wasn't.

SPUCK · 06-28-2008, 02:38 AM

It's obvious.. When the cables break, if it were a cylinder it would just crater. A sphere could be deflected on the way down and roll through town making a much greater spectacle. Think bowling pins!

Griff · 06-28-2008, 07:20 AM

Quick! Call George Lucas!

Ibby · 06-29-2008, 12:20 AM

I've seen it.
not that impressive. the view from the top of 101 is pretty sweet though.

(i do live in Taipei, remember)

Griff · 06-29-2008, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibram

I've seen it.
not that impressive. the view from the top of 101 is pretty sweet though.

(i do live in Taipei, remember)

Look deeper.

SPUCK · 06-29-2008, 05:04 AM

You say you are a type A?

Ibby · 06-29-2008, 07:32 PM

by the way
the may china quake
was WAY too far away
to be felt in taipei
trust me
we couldnt feel it.

Sundae · 06-29-2008, 07:41 PM

Perhaps it depends on the size of your balls?

Clodfobble · 06-29-2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibram

by the way
the may china quake
was WAY too far away
to be felt in taipei
trust me
we couldnt feel it.

That's downright poetic.

xoxoxoBruce · 06-29-2008, 08:57 PM

Maybe that's because you weren't at the top of the 101.

Imigo Jones · 06-30-2008, 12:34 PM

06-27-2008, 05:44 PM	#1
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	Why make it in the shape of a sphere? A sphere is the shape that has the highest volume to surface area ratio, but I don't see any compelling reason to have to conserve surface area for this counterweight. It seems like it would be a wasteful use of space compared to, say, a cylinder, perhaps a cylinder with a hemispherical lower end. Since the whole weight will swing in an arc described by the radius of the cable and ball, it would seem that there would be empty space in the swing path that could otherwise have been used to add mass, had they departed from their (nearly) spherical choice. Perhaps there were aesthetic reasons for the shape I don't understand. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

06-28-2008, 02:28 AM	#3
BeltNah Regulator of Squalor Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 37	Sphere There are a lot of reasons as to why it is a sphere. I haven't got the time to go into it though. You will have to trust me. Nice find Bruce.

06-27-2008, 09:44 PM	#5
breakingnews Q_Q Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: somewhere in between Posts: 995	I've seen it - pretty cool (and big). The guy on the cell phone is asking someone if there was an earthquake, but he was told there wasn't. __________________ Gone crazy, be back never.

06-28-2008, 07:20 AM	#7
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	Quick! Call George Lucas! __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

06-29-2008, 12:20 AM	#8
Ibby erika Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: "the high up north" Posts: 6,127	I've seen it. not that impressive. the view from the top of 101 is pretty sweet though. (i do live in Taipei, remember) __________________ not really back, you didn't see me, i was never here shhhhhh

06-28-2008, 02:38 AM	#6
SPUCK Professor Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,911	It's obvious.. When the cables break, if it were a cylinder it would just crater. A sphere could be deflected on the way down and roll through town making a much greater spectacle. Think bowling pins!

06-29-2008, 05:04 AM	#10
SPUCK Professor Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,911	You say you are a type A?

06-29-2008, 07:32 PM	#11
Ibby erika Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: "the high up north" Posts: 6,127	by the way the may china quake was WAY too far away to be felt in taipei trust me we couldnt feel it. __________________ not really back, you didn't see me, i was never here shhhhhh

06-29-2008, 07:41 PM	#12
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Perhaps it depends on the size of your balls? __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

06-29-2008, 08:57 PM	#14
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Maybe that's because you weren't at the top of the 101. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

06-30-2008, 12:34 PM	#15
Imigo Jones Tornado Ali Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Used to be woods in town on prairie; now Emerald City Posts: 82

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