The Shocking Primetime Moments of American History: Feynman’s Ice Water Experiment
Throughout American history, certain moments have become seared into the national consciousness as primetime moments. From the assassination of President John F. Kennedy to tragic accidents like the Challenger and Columbia disasters, each event has left an indelible mark on the collective memory. One of the most shocking of these moments can be attributed to physicist Richard Feynman's ice water experiment during the Rogers Commission hearing after the Challenger Disaster.
Jack Ruby Shooting Lee Harvey Oswald
Everything surrounding the assassination of President Kennedy was a primetime moment. Among the most shocking was the shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald by Jack Ruby. This event, broadcast live on television, was the most shocking thing that my friends and I had ever seen. Schools were closed, and teachers encouraged students to watch the proceedings, emphasizing the significance of every moment.
The Challenger and Columbia Disasters
Similarly, the Challenger and Columbia Disasters were shocking and unforgettable. Space accidents often result in massive tragedies, but it is rare for a scientific experiment to become a key component in understanding the cause of such disasters.
The Rogers Commission Hearing and Feynman's Ice Water Experiment
Hearings held in Washington, D.C., can sometimes seem like a complete waste of time and taxpayer money. However, the Rogers Commission hearing after the Challenger disaster was exceptionally revealing. The commission was established to investigate the cause of the disaster, and one of its members, the brilliant Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, conducted an experiment that would become momentous.
Feynman's Inquisitive Nature
Feynman was known for his inquisitive nature. To uncover the truth about the Challenger disaster, he went directly to the people who built the shuttle and learned crucial information that he would use to discover the cause of the explosion. NASA officials estimated the chance of failure of the shuttle to be about 1 in 100,000, but Feynman found this number to be closer to 1 in 100.
Understanding the Role of O-Rings
One of the critical pieces of information Feynman discovered was that rubber O-rings used to seal the solid rocket booster (SRB) joints would fail to expand at temperatures 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below. This failure led to the explosion. At the time of the Challenger launch, the temperature was exactly 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Feynman's Famous C-Clamp Experiment
To test his theory, Feynman conducted a simple but critical experiment. He dropped a piece of the O-ring material, squeezed with a C-clamp to simulate the actual conditions of the shuttle, into a glass of ice water. The ice was at exactly 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This experiment was more than just a demonstration; it provided clear evidence of the failure mechanism that led to the disaster.
The Role of O-Rings in the SRB Joints
When the material in the SRB starts to heat up, it expands and pushes against the sides of the SRB. An opening in a joint in the SRB leads to a leak, similar to water escaping through the spout of a tea kettle. The leak in the Challenger's SRB was visible as a small flicker in a launch photo. This flicker turned into a flame, heating the fuel tank to the point of rupture. The fuel tank then released liquid hydrogen into the atmosphere, causing an explosion.
The Significance of Feynman's Experiment
Through his inquisitive nature and thorough analysis, Feynman provided a clear explanation for the Challenger disaster. His ice water experiment was not just a demonstration; it was a momentous moment in the history of space exploration. It highlighted the importance of rigorous testing and the potential risks involved in space missions.
In conclusion, moments like the assassination of JFK, the shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald, the Challenger and Columbia disasters, and Feynman's ice water experiment have become shocking primetime moments in American history. These events not only left an indelible mark on society but also provided valuable lessons that continue to shape our understanding of critical moments.