Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Emmalee on 14/01/2011 02:30:02

Title: Does freezing an object affect its balance?
Post by: Emmalee on 14/01/2011 02:30:02

Emmalee asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Does freezing an object affect its balance?

What do you think?

Title: Does freezing an object affect its balance?
Post by: CliffordK on 14/01/2011 07:16:12

I think you need more information.

Freezing a solid (more) won't do a lot.  So, for example, a warm and a cold top should spin about the same.

Liquids would be more complex, but would be dependent on the application.

For example, mobile tanks (fuel, water, etc) are often baffled to prevent sloshing of the liquid causing the vehicle to loose balance.  Freezing the liquid inside would also prevent sloshing and would prevent the vehicle from loosing its balance.

I can also imagine a top filled with a liquid.  It would likely function better with a frozen central weight vs having a liquid spun up the sides.  Certainly the action (speed and momentum) of it would be different.