How come when you hit 2 rocks together it makes sound energy but if I hit two other rocks together it can make sparks, whatever kind of energy that is. When you use a newtons cradle, the potential energy turns into: heat energy, sound energy, and maybe other stuff. What dictates what percent of the energy turns into what type of energy, etc???
In: Physics
> What dictates what percent of the energy turns into what type of energy, etc???
There are energy thresholds that are required to be met in order for things to happen. Like.. heating up oil doesn’t just cause it to combust, but if you put enough energy into it, i.e. with fire, it will. Also, the material for the reaction affects how the energy is absorbed or change. In the case of flint, it’s a matter of the hardness of the material and it being able to absorb and distribute the force applied without breaking, while also shaving off some electrons and molecules from the metal used.
This is really only scratching the surface though, no pun intended.
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