xkcd #3106: Farads

Title text:

‘This HAZMAT container contains radioactive material with activity of one becquerel.’ ‘So, like, a single banana slice?’

Transcript:

[Cueball holds a stick while talking with Megan and White Hat.]
Cueball: This stick is one meter long.
Megan: Cool.
White Hat: That’s a nice stick.

[Cueball holds a smallish rock.]
Cueball: This rock weighs one pound.
Megan: I’d believe it.
White Hat: Looks like a normal rock.

[Cueball holds a small battery.]
Cueball: This battery is one volt.
Megan: Seems fine.
White Hat: Might need a recharge.

[Cueball holds a capacitor while Megan and White Hat panic.]
Cueball: This capacitor is one farad.
Megan: Aaaaa! Be careful!!
White Hat: Put it down!!

Source: https://xkcd.com/3106/

explainxkcd for #3106

  • pelya@lemmy.worldEnglish
    162·
    2 days ago

    A capacitor of 1 farad at standard American 120 volts has the energy between 7.62×54 and .50 BMG, and will discharge just as violently.

    • Sal@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      20 hours ago

      So what you’re saying is that if I touched that in the wrong manner I’d get blown across the room?

      • pelya@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        3 hours ago

        Uh yeah, I’m pretty sure the discharge can stop your heart if you grab it in precisely wrong manner. Typical defibrillator uses like 50 times less energy, but with a higher voltage.

    • spizzat2@lemmy.zipEnglish
      17·
      2 days ago

      Great. Now I get to be the “I’m not familiar with that unit of measurement.” guy.

      7.62x54

      3,291 J (2,427 ft⋅lbf) to 3,400 J (2,508 ft⋅lbf)

      .50 BMG

      The .50 BMG round can produce between 10,000 and 15,000 foot-pounds force (14,000 and 20,000 J), depending on its powder and bullet type, as well as the weapon it is fired from

        • Ragnor@feddit.dkEnglish
          10·
          1 day ago

          All units are made up.

          I totally agree that imperial units are silly, though. Base 10 is the way things should be.

        • TauZero@mander.xyzEnglish
          31·
          1 day ago

          Didn’t even need to translate to foot-pounds-force, since .50 BMG was already in freedom-loving units.

        • ayyy@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          24·
          1 day ago

          Oh you non-Americans and your lack of wheelchair access ramps.

          See how stupid and annoying this is?