Question for the smart guys and a lets have some fun

rScotty · Feb 17, 2020

1930 said:
I do not understand how size cannot be part of the equation? In my mind something that dwarfs another object in size would be much more difficult to control

If the mass and velocity is the same for each when you threw them - and you said that they were - then the total energy to stop them is the same too.

But you do have a point on controllability. Suppose that you put a spin on both boxes. Now you've added a different type of energy to the experiment. What then?
rScotty

k0ua · Feb 17, 2020

To sum it all up, the OP was having trouble believing that a 1 ton dually could safely tow such a large object like the 40 foot cargo container. And obviously it can and it can do it all day. Now whether it can deliver it across a sand pit is another matter, but then again what other wheeled vehicle could do that either? If it is on sand, it should be fairly easy to drag across it.

LouNY · Feb 17, 2020

Nothing hard about siteing a containor with the right equipment;
LIFT KING AF13 13 Lb 4x4x4 Rough Terrain Forklift Lot #783 | Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers

Topzide · Feb 17, 2020

"In my opinion if someone were to brake check either one of these vehicles with these enormous containers on the rear then someone would become very hurt."

If that were to happen, then the person that brake checked could be charged! That's why I have a dash cam for when someone cuts in front of me. I've had too many times when I'm towing and allowing proper driving distance between me and the vehicle in front of me, someone fills that gap!

This thread reminds me of my physics class, would a pound of feathers or a pound of lead hit the ground at same speed and energy?

CobyRupert · Feb 17, 2020

k0ua said:
To sum it all up, the OP was having trouble believing that a 1 ton dually could safely tow such a large object like the 40 foot cargo container. And obviously it can and it can do it all day. Now whether it can deliver it across a sand pit is another matter, but then again what other wheeled vehicle could do that either? If it is on sand, it should be fairly easy to drag across it.

The wind resistance of the 40 foot cargo container would make it slow down (and stop) quicker than stopping its equivalent weight of gold bars on the trailer. Wind resistance makes going up hills or driving on the flat a harder pull too.

k0ua · Feb 17, 2020

CobyRupert said:
The wind resistance of the 40 foot cargo container would make it slow down (and stop) quicker than stopping its equivalent weight of gold bars on the trailer. Wind resistance makes going up hills or driving on the flat a harder pull too.

If I am going to tow something, I would rather that it be the gold bars. Especially if we are headed to my house with them..

Jstpssng · Feb 17, 2020

Topzide said:
"In my opinion if someone were to brake check either one of these vehicles with these enormous containers on the rear then someone would become very hurt."

If that were to happen, then the person that brake checked could be charged! That's why I have a dash cam for when someone cuts in front of me. I've had too many times when I'm towing and allowing proper driving distance between me and the vehicle in front of me, someone fills that gap!

This thread reminds me of my physics class, would a pound of feathers or a pound of lead hit the ground at same speed and energy?

What is the correct answer? In that case it seems that there would be some wind resistance in the case of the feathers, yet the example is really apples and oranges compared to the OP's cargo trailer vs the gold which somebody is hopefully about to deliver to my house.

/pine · Feb 17, 2020

One critical factor that I have not seen applied to the original hypothetical question is the coefficient of friction...it especially applies if the two bricks are of different size...

4570Man · Feb 17, 2020

Jstpssng said:
What is the correct answer? In that case it seems that there would be some wind resistance in the case of the feathers, yet the example is really apples and oranges compared to the OP's cargo trailer vs the gold which somebody is hopefully about to deliver to my house.

Maybe in a vacuum they’d be equal but for all practical applications the lead will hit the ground faster. Maybe in theory at equal speed the energy would be the same but the soft feathers will dissipated energy and the lead is going to do a much better job transferring energy.