Unraveling Science in MacGyver Season 2 Episode 4: X-Ray + Penny
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Chapter 1: Ingenious Hydraulic Hammer
In this episode, MacGyver demonstrates a creative use of pressure in a device he calls a hydraulic hammer, though it functions more like a pressure gun. By connecting a pressurized line from a water heater to a tube containing a rod, he releases the pressure to propel the rod and dislodge a door handle—a clever solution indeed.
To create a mechanism that allows the rod to oscillate, a more complex design is required. The basic structure remains a tube with a rod, but with key modifications. A side hole permits the release of pressure, halting the rod's forward motion once it reaches that point. Additionally, a spring connected to both the tube and rod retracts the rod after the pressure dissipates.
However, the feasibility of this design remains uncertain.
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Section 1.1: Locating with Acoustic Evidence
A challenging yet exciting scenario arises as MacGyver seeks to determine his location using sound. Sound travels through air at a finite speed, which varies with temperature, but an approximation of 340 meters per second is commonly used. This means there is a time delay between sound traveling a specific distance, which most people recognize from observing lightning and hearing thunder shortly after.
In this episode, MacGyver utilizes two sounds originating from different distances, coincidentally reaching him at the same time. The sounds come from church bells and a fire station alarm, allowing him to calculate his distance from both sources. The church bells toll every half hour, while the fire station alarm activates at 1:29 and 58 seconds, indicating that the bell sound traveled for two additional seconds.
To solve this problem, MacGyver sketches his thoughts, representing the situation through mathematical reasoning.
The concept can be visualized as two expanding circles, each representing a sound wave, with their radii increasing at the speed of sound. The intersection points of these circles reveal the possible locations of the sound sources, which MacGyver narrows down based on the sewer's water flow direction.
For further insight into this concept, check out my video explanation.
Creating a Python animation to illustrate this problem may be on my agenda soon. For the calculations presented earlier, I ensured to adjust the values for accuracy.
Chapter 2: The Science of X-Ray Fluorescence
X-ray fluorescence is a fascinating scientific principle explored in this episode. This technique involves utilizing x-rays on film, exciting certain atoms to emit infrared light. Although invisible to the naked eye, a video camera can detect this infrared emission. This method is akin to techniques employed to examine layers beneath the surface of classic paintings.
To delve deeper into the concept, I've prepared a brief video explaining x-ray fluorescence.
Originally published at http://rhettallain.com on April 11, 2019.