16 Mar '05 20:08>1 edit
It seems that most problems presented on this forum are mathematical in nature, with word problems/lateral thinking problems coming in a close second, and chess problems bringing up the rear, funny enough. How about a physics problem or two?
1. Monkey + pulley: A cheeky little monkey is hanging onto a rope that is attached to a pulley, and counter balanced on the other end with a monkey-shaped weight. Both the monkey and the weight are at the same height initially. What happens if the monkey starts climbing the rope?
2. Revolving sprinkler: Everyone has seen revolving sprinklers that spin when the water comes out. Imagine one with two L-shaped arms on opposite sides of the central hub, both pointing clockwise (as viewed from above). When you turns on the water, it spins counterclockwise. What happens if you put this sprinkler under water, and THEN turn it on? Which way will it spin? (BTW, Richard Feynman once wrecked a physics lab trying to answer this question experimentally.)
Bonus points for anyone that can link to video footage of an experiment demonstrating your answer! But you'd better be in the video, or else...
1. Monkey + pulley: A cheeky little monkey is hanging onto a rope that is attached to a pulley, and counter balanced on the other end with a monkey-shaped weight. Both the monkey and the weight are at the same height initially. What happens if the monkey starts climbing the rope?
2. Revolving sprinkler: Everyone has seen revolving sprinklers that spin when the water comes out. Imagine one with two L-shaped arms on opposite sides of the central hub, both pointing clockwise (as viewed from above). When you turns on the water, it spins counterclockwise. What happens if you put this sprinkler under water, and THEN turn it on? Which way will it spin? (BTW, Richard Feynman once wrecked a physics lab trying to answer this question experimentally.)
Bonus points for anyone that can link to video footage of an experiment demonstrating your answer! But you'd better be in the video, or else...