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
    112·
    13 hours 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.

    • spizzat2@lemmy.zipEnglish
      13·
      12 hours 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

        • ayyy@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          1·
          49 minutes ago

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

          See how stupid and annoying this is?

        • Ragnor@feddit.dkEnglish
          6·
          9 hours 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
          21·
          7 hours ago

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