tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3503907480945604393.post8913132485533988477..comments2023-10-06T07:12:00.128-04:00Comments on Observations First: Newton's 2nd Law SurveyJKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10598562442485184399noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3503907480945604393.post-89030492341975632302012-01-11T17:23:14.203-05:002012-01-11T17:23:14.203-05:00This comment brings up some important distinctions...This comment brings up some important distinctions, and I absolutely agree that the truly accurate answer is more subtle than I intend here. I disagree, however, that the breaking of an egg has little to do with forces. There are some subtleties that would be welcome in even a casual discussion of Newton's 2nd Law.<br /><br />We are certainly NOT concerned with the "total force" or net force, as illustrated by the example of the egg in a vice. Though it's true that an egg in freefall near a massive star would be left intact, an egg falling near a black hole would certainly break.<br /><br />Since an egg is not a point particle, we must analyze the difference in force applied to different particles in the eggshell, and the molecular forces between particles that normally hold the egg together. Subtle indeed!JKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10598562442485184399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3503907480945604393.post-44240489905854509582011-09-01T09:52:26.913-04:002011-09-01T09:52:26.913-04:00The breaking of an egg has little to do with the f...The breaking of an egg has little to do with the force or forces on it. The total force on an egg can sum to zero and yet it shatters (e.g. an egg in a vice) or the total force can be enormous (egg in freefall near a massive star) and the egg not shatter. Nor do large forces in opposing directions do the trick - consider gravitational forces by different massive bodies on the egg. <br /><br />I think a full correct answer is perhaps more subtle than you intend.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com