Editing 2711: Optimal Bowling
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The third graph concerns the rotational speed of the ball. The "ball explodes" section is a reference to one of [[Randall]]'s favorite equations, which is that an object cannot spin faster than the square root of its specific tensile strength. Spinning the ball any faster than this limit would cause the bowling ball to lose its structural integrity and explosively disintegrate. At particularly high speeds, the material of the ball would be flung outwards at a significant fraction of the speed of light, causing, as in the second graph, widespread destruction (possibly a reference to {{what if|92|One-Second Day}}.) | The third graph concerns the rotational speed of the ball. The "ball explodes" section is a reference to one of [[Randall]]'s favorite equations, which is that an object cannot spin faster than the square root of its specific tensile strength. Spinning the ball any faster than this limit would cause the bowling ball to lose its structural integrity and explosively disintegrate. At particularly high speeds, the material of the ball would be flung outwards at a significant fraction of the speed of light, causing, as in the second graph, widespread destruction (possibly a reference to {{what if|92|One-Second Day}}.) | ||
β | The fourth graph in this comic illustrates a bowler's probability of a strike with a ball whose mass ranges from 10<sup>0</sup> kg (2.2 pounds) to close to 10<sup>10</sup> kg (over 22 billion pounds), and continues by indicating that balls even larger than that would cause "equipment damage" (up to 10<sup>20</sup> kg) or the creation of a black hole (starting from around 10<sup>25</sup> kg and up). | + | The fourth graph in this comic illustrates a bowler's probability of a strike with a ball whose mass ranges from 10<sup>0</sup> kg (2.2 pounds) to close to 10<sup>10</sup> kg (over 22 billion pounds), and continues by indicating that balls even larger than that would cause "equipment damage" (up to 10<sup>20</sup> kg) or the creation of a black hole (starting from around 10<sup>25</sup> kg and up). The last entry on the x-axis of this graph is 10<sup>40</sup> kg, which is about 5 billion times the mass of the {{w|Sun}}. The {{w|United States Bowling Congress}} requires all bowling balls to weigh no more than 16 pounds (that is, a mass of no more than 7.257 kg), with no minimum weight. Hence, if the x-axis of the graph ran from, say, 0 to 8 kg, the graph might actually impart some useful information. |
The title text continues the trend of providing unhelpful information by stating that the optimal place to stand when trying to bowl a strike is inside the bowling alley, but mentions the possibility of "any establishment uphill from one" working, with a little luck. This suggests the possibility of rolling the bowling ball downhill, in to the bowling alley and the pins, such as in {{w|List of Curious George episodes#Season 2 (2007β08)|Curious George}}. | The title text continues the trend of providing unhelpful information by stating that the optimal place to stand when trying to bowl a strike is inside the bowling alley, but mentions the possibility of "any establishment uphill from one" working, with a little luck. This suggests the possibility of rolling the bowling ball downhill, in to the bowling alley and the pins, such as in {{w|List of Curious George episodes#Season 2 (2007β08)|Curious George}}. |