Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
It's the thought that counts.

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


                       

Electret Pool

Well, what else were you going to use that 500 trillion volt battery for?
  (+3, -1)
(+3, -1)
  [vote for,
against]

Embedded in the centre of each pool ball is a small metal sphere which has been statically charged during manufacture to about 500 trillion volts or so. The ball is made of insulating material, so the charge remains trapped, forming an electret.

A similarly charged metal pellet is placed in the tip of the cue, and charged metal rods are likewise embedded in the cushions.

In this game, physical contact between balls, cue and cushions is very rare, happening only on the very hardest shots. Most interaction takes place via the electrostatic repulsion caused by the trapped electric charges.

Wrongfellow, Sep 08 2016

52mm diameter https://en.wikipedi...m_SK_L/55_naval_gun
Most satisfactory [8th of 7, Sep 11 2016]


Please log in.
If you're not logged in, you can see what this page looks like, but you will not be able to add anything.



Annotation:







       Do you have reason to believe that an electret with a voltage high enough to repel in this application would be long-lasting? It seems like at the very least the effective charge would be reduced by opposite charges sticking to the surface.   

       [+] just in case it would work.
scad mientist, Sep 08 2016
  

       Cool.   

       hmmm...   

       Yes, sounds like an awful lot of pocket lint.
wjt, Sep 10 2016
  

       //charge remains trapped// //500 trillion volts// Not for long!
csea, Sep 10 2016
  

       Diamond has a breakdown voltage of 2 GV/m, 2 x 10^9.   

       For comparison, vacuum breaks down at about 10^12 V/m   

       Pool balls are a standard 2" diameter. Assuming the diameter of the electret in negligible with respect to the diameter of the ball, the thickness of the dielectric can be taken as 25mm.   

       500 trillion is 5 x 10^14.   

       The time allowed is one hour. Use ink, write on both sides of the paper. Show your working.   

       You may begin now.
8th of 7, Sep 10 2016
  

       This could work, if done under a suitable electron microscope, using single ions as the balls.
MaxwellBuchanan, Sep 10 2016
  

       But how would you chalk the cue ?
8th of 7, Sep 10 2016
  

       What you get up to in the privacy of your own bedroom is none of my business.
MaxwellBuchanan, Sep 10 2016
  

       It's what you get up to in the privacy of other people's bedrooms that worries us. And an awful lot of husbands ... and wives ....and parents ... but worst of all, the owners of exotic livestock ....
8th of 7, Sep 10 2016
  

       It's more effective to actually insert the ball into the cat. A special tool is available for the purpose. <link>
8th of 7, Sep 11 2016
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle