Today, we have two questions about fascinating objects that we will share with you along with their answers.
1. Pythagoras’ Cup
Pythagoras, a Greek mathematician and mystic, created a cup with interesting properties:
1) When filled to a certain point, it acts like a regular cup.
2) If you pour above that level, the liquid drains out through a hole in the bottom of the cup.
Can you illustrate how this cup works?
The cup has a simple internal mechanism with no moving parts. It’s a clever metaphor for moderation in life – overflow even slightly, and you lose it all.
Solution:
Cross-section of a Pythagorean cup filled with water. At B, the liquid in the cup can be drunk, but at C, the liquid flows down due to the siphon effect. Illustration: Nevit Dilmen
The cup has a central chamber that fills from the bottom, and when it overflows, a siphon is formed to empty the water. This mechanism is similar to flushing toilets and fabric softener trays in washing machines.
2. A Backwards Old Car
Design a simple mechanism for a toy car with four wheels that moves forward when a string is pulled backward.
Solution:
To achieve this, you need a pulley system as shown in the video. A string is wrapped around a shaft, and when it unwinds, it moves a belt connected to the wheel axle.
We hope you enjoyed today’s puzzles, and we’ll be back in 2 weeks!
Since 2015, we’ve been sharing puzzles every other Monday. If you have any suggestions, feel free to email us!
Source: www.theguardian.com
