In a jar of mixed nuts, why do Brazil nuts end up on top? (opens in new tab)

(en.wikipedia.org)

3 pointsbns1y ago3 comments

3 comments

Could be attracted to a major radiation source (note the symbol)? "Radium is a chemical element with the symbol Ra and atomic number 88."

Shaking the jar sorts the small ones to the bottom. Sames reason chips in a big have dust at the bottom.

dekhn1y ago

Depends on the size and shape of the particles, see https://www.nature.com/articles/429352a.pdf for a demonstration of the "reverse brazil nut effect".

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

Could be attracted to a major radiation source (note the symbol)? "Radium is a chemical element with the symbol Ra and atomic number 88."

Shaking the jar sorts the small ones to the bottom. Sames reason chips in a big have dust at the bottom.

dekhn1y ago

Depends on the size and shape of the particles, see https://www.nature.com/articles/429352a.pdf for a demonstration of the "reverse brazil nut effect".

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse