Question Hole digging

[Jupitus]

I have been pondering this for a little while now, whilst watching several US TV shows.

How come the soil in America is so loose underfoot? Every time I see someone burying a body, the grave digging seems to be done in no time and very easily with a simple spade. The soil appears so loose to dig that if I were to kill someone I'd probably ship the body over there to avoid hurting my back!

 

[dysfunction]

Because it's Hollywood poetic licence

 

[caLLous]

Got something to "dispose of", Jup?

 

[Raven]

Its because they are so large that the ground shakes when they walk, loosening it all up.

 

[TdC]

I've been reading about that stuff. Iirc it's been done on Mythbusters or something? Anyway, digging a hole that's 2 by 1 meters, and 2 meters deep, so 4 cubic meters. The internets say the average specific gravity of naturally occurring soils is 2.65 (equivalent to 2.65g/cm3). If you have a pile of soil, it won't be packed to zero air voids, so figure a void ratio of 0.65. That makes your cubic meter of soil weigh about 1722 kg. So...digging that hole involved moving ~6.9 tons of earth. You can do the rest of the math.

 

[Jupitus]

I've been reading about that stuff. Iirc it's been done on Mythbusters or something? Anyway, digging a hole that's 2 by 1 meters, and 2 meters deep, so 4 cubic meters. The internets say the average specific gravity of naturally occurring soils is 2.65 (equivalent to 2.65g/cm3). If you have a pile of soil, it won't be packed to zero air voids, so figure a void ratio of 0.65. That makes your cubic meter of soil weigh about 1722 kg. So...digging that hole involved moving ~6.9 tons of earth. You can do the rest of the math.

Ye cannae escape the laws of physics, Cap'n!!

 

[Zarjazz]

Because it's Hollywood poetic licence

Next you'll be telling me cars don't explode into flames at the slightest knock.

 

[caLLous]

Also, the ground is as loose as you like but they can still dig holes with vertical sides with no slippage whatsoever.

 

[Jupitus]

Next you'll be telling me cars don't explode into flames at the slightest knock.

Don't get me started on that!!!

 

[dysfunction]

blah blah blah.... You can do the rest of the math.

No you do the rest of the maths. I'm too lazy!

 

[Olgaline]

Next you'll be telling me cars don't explode into flames at the slightest knock.

or
that people don't fly backwards when you shoot them?

 

[Moriath]

or
that people don't fly backwards when you shoot them?

Depends what you shoot at the and the velocity.

A dustbin at 200mph will make you fly back I would think.

 

[Raven]

Failure to understand simple physics evident.

No pistol or rifle shot will make people fly backwards...not without the shooter also flying backwards...therefore it would make a shit weapon that would not make it to production.

 

[old.Tohtori]

You'd be surprised what is actual physics in hollywood though.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=104tQfcK1sI


90% plausible.

 

[Olgaline]

yup,
notin' wrong with that...I've done it once or twice me self, you know, just for the kicks

 

[Moriath]

Failure to understand simple physics evident.

No pistol or rifle shot will make people fly backwards...not without the shooter also flying backwards...therefore it would make a shit weapon that would not make it to production.

Don't think I gave an example of a firearm. Failure in comprehension event IMO.

 

[Hawkwind]

or
that people don't fly backwards when you shoot them?

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYAiS2tsG_A

Just funny, recoil....