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Killer Table
What would happen when a child pulls down on the edge of the table to see what is on it?
The student assignment was to calculate the force on the table edge required to tip it over. Nothing more was given.
Good students assumed that the tables were of standard dining height and measured all other necessary dimensions based on that height. Most assumed a dense wood top, a standard pipe with OD measured from the photo. Plate thicknesses were also measured from the photo. Most assumed that the wheels were solid. Some found exemplar wheels on eBay or under antiques on the internet.
The second assignment was to determine the speed of the table top at impact with ground, first assuming that there was no applied force from the child during rotation, and second that the child held on with a constant 20% of their weight. Since the tables appear on a rug and wicker carpet, it was acceptable to assume that the wheels did not roll, and the table rotated about the left set of wheels. One justified this by saying they thought that the wheels probably hadn't rolled in 50 years, and could not now either.
The third assignment was to estimate the level of damage done to a child if it fell on them. Most good thoughts on this calculated the terminal velocity of the table top in MPH, and equated that to an unbelted child in a car accident.
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