Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: Shryke

Re: your rod

The Square Cube Law does not apply. You are proposing a change in only one dimension, length, when the law applies to proportional increases in all dimensions. So long as you are maintaining the same diameter, doubling a
or tripling the length will only double or triple the volume and mass.

If, however, you double your rod in both length and diameter, then the Square Cube Law DOES apply and the area of the rod would be four times greater and the volume would be eight times greater.


262 posted on 04/04/2008 1:19:16 PM PDT by Swordmaker (Remember, the proper pronunciation of IE is "AAAAIIIIIEEEEEEE!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 257 | View Replies ]


To: Swordmaker
If, however, you double your rod in both length and diameter

And therein lies your error, I believe. You have assumed that your giant dinosaur has increased in all dimensions by the same amount that its length has increased over a comparative dinosaur, correct?

As a real world example: an earthworm does gain 8 times it's weight growing from 4 to 8 inches - clearly it hasn't doubled in diameter - it has probably only marginally gained in diameter - and thus will be slightly over double the weight. It appears there must be a scale. You, it appears, are using the extreme end of the scale, which would be accurate if two dimensions (I am taking your word for this part) increased at the same rate. But according to the illustrations I have seen, that is obviously not the case. The long, thin parts are longer, but not commensurately thicker.

263 posted on 04/04/2008 1:36:48 PM PDT by Shryke
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 262 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson