12. Crusher
Category – Science
Every year, more than 5 million automobiles are recycled in the United States. Once the useful parts are stripped from a car, the wreck is crushed in preparation for transport to a shredder. Car crushers can exert 150 tons of force, smashing the remains into a dense heap.
“Pancake” crushers flatten a car under a huge metal plate. “Baling press” crushers squeeze a car from many directions until it’s shaped like a hay bale – and then there’s the amazing machine shown in the video below. When it’s done, only small pieces remain.
Question –
· How does a crusher get its force?
· What principle of physics describes how this force is applied?
Assignment – Discover the answer when you go to the How Stuff Works website –
Click here to research the answer.
Then click on “next page” to see a diagram with explanation.