Starch- anyone use it still??

[djm]

There is a name for compounds that behave like cornstarch or cocoa, that behave differently depending on how much physical pressure is applied to them, but I can't remember the term. Anyone remember this from HS science class?

djm

[fel bautista]

Non-Newtonian fluids is all I can recall from my fluid dynamics class; acting more like a solid than a liquid when force is applied---GAK!!! That came out of the DEEP reaches of memory--- I want my mommy

[WyoBadger]

There is a name for compounds that behave like cornstarch or cocoa, that behave differently depending on how much physical pressure is applied to them, but I can't remember the term. Anyone remember this from HS science class?

djm

I remember the first time I ever ran into quick sand, in southern Utah. If you walk quick you can sort of truck right across it. If you stop, all of a sudden it looks...different, and then it liquifies and, ploomp, in you go.

Fortunately it was only about boot-deep. Fun stuff. Sort of reminded me of the cornstarch trick.

T

[djm]

I remember the first time I ever ran into quick sand, in southern Utah.

Cool. I didn't know that.

djm

[cowtime]

There is a name for compounds that behave like cornstarch or cocoa, that behave differently depending on how much physical pressure is applied to them, but I can't remember the term. Anyone remember this from HS science class?

djm

I remember the first time I ever ran into quick sand, in southern Utah. If you walk quick you can sort of truck right across it. If you stop, all of a sudden it looks...different, and then it liquifies and, ploomp, in you go.

Fortunately it was only about boot-deep. Fun stuff. Sort of reminded me of the cornstarch trick.

T

Who remembers how in the old tv westerns someone always ended up in quicksand? That stuff really worried me when I was a kid.

[Lambchop]

Who remembers how in the old tv westerns someone always ended up in quicksand? That stuff really worried me when I was a kid.

I remember! Any movie set in Africa had to have some, too.

[Tyghress]

A bit of spray starch on lace knitting improves the drape.

Remember to wash it out before storing so the starch eating bugs don't make BIIIIIG holes in the lovely lace!

[Dale]

There is a name for compounds that behave like cornstarch or cocoa, that behave differently depending on how much physical pressure is applied to them, but I can't remember the term. Anyone remember this from HS science class?

djm

I remember the first time I ever ran into quick sand, in southern Utah. If you walk quick you can sort of truck right across it. If you stop, all of a sudden it looks...different, and then it liquifies and, ploomp, in you go.

Fortunately it was only about boot-deep. Fun stuff. Sort of reminded me of the cornstarch trick.

T

This story reminds me of the great cultural icon: Wile E. Coyote runs off the cliff and....you know the rest.

[dubhlinn]

Bloomfield only wears starched shirts, dark suits and old-fashioned ties. If it weren't for his mother's propensity to starch underwear, he'd still be living at home.

How is the old girl these days?

Been a while since she's been around.

Slan,
D.

[WyoBadger]

This story reminds me of the great cultural icon: Wile E. Coyote runs off the cliff and....you know the rest.

Well, I almost did that too, on the same trip. Moral of that story: Make sure you are fully awake before crawling out of your sleeping bag to answer nature's call when camped on a ledge on the side of a canyon. Woo hoo hoo *little puff of dust*

[dwest]

...

[Nanohedron]

There is a name for compounds that behave like cornstarch or cocoa, that behave differently depending on how much physical pressure is applied to them, but I can't remember the term. Anyone remember this from HS science class?

djm

A brief Google suggests that "non-Newtonian" is probably the word you're after. The fascinatingly contrary cornstarch/water combo gets called by the improbable name of "Oobleck" (which further searching reveals it to be borrowed from Dr. Seuss).

Oobleck. Sounds like an extraterrestrial marooned on Earth.

Other terms appear to be "dilatant", "shear-thickening", and "smart material".

[Denny]

Oobleck. Sounds like an extraterrestrial marooned on Earth.

so ya don't think that it has anything to do with the life goes on bra then?

[djm]

dilatant

That's the word! Nice find. As for "shear-thickening" I'll just put that one down slowly and cautiously step away.

so ya don't think that it has anything to do with the life goes on bra then?

Depends on whether or not they use corn starch to stick it on with.

djm

[Nanohedron]

And I found another somewhat related word: rheopectic. It's the opposite of thixotropic, you know.