Re: Why techies bug me.
This site asks the question "how can I measure the weight of my head without cutting it off?" The responses debate the methods of weighing and the methods of quantifying their results.
What they haven't asked is:
Why bother ? What is to be gained by finding the answer?
Why not google the question and get the answer as I did of 20 lbs on average.
Why not ask an anthropoligist?
Why not ask a pathologist or morgue worker?
Why not check the literature on neurology and anatomy and discover what has already been learned and build on that?
Why do so many techies wallow in details and keep reinventing the wheel.
Yours truly with tongue firmly imbedded in cheek,
*****
My response was predictable enough. I immediately set about the important task of determining a method.
That is too funny! To tell you the truth, I have considered this question before. I remember a long time ago Nana cautioned me not to lean my head over the railing because "90% of the weight is in the head".
I suppose it may have medical applications. You could chart weight of a particular body part during the course of a patient's lifetime. It is also a good pedagogical tool to get people interested in experimental science through some silly construct.
You are going to hate me, but I can't help it. I have two methods to offer. The first one is more accurate.
1. Suspend person upside down from a hanging scale or balance. Make two weight measurements. One while suspended freely and one with head dunked in water. The difference can be used to calculate the mass using the buoyancy equation.
2. This is inspired by your practical approach and can be done using Google and a tape measure. First measure the circumference of your head. Then find the average head circumference and mass on Google. If your head is, say, 10% larger in circumference then you have to adjust the mass by 1.10 cubed, i.e. 33%.
** rubbing hands together in delight at having solved a useless problem **
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment