Brain Teaser Challenge Solution - December 2009 Butch Shadwell
After complaining about the inaccuracies in SiFi movies I asked the following question. “…Today we improve the accuracy of air dropped ordnance, and reduce collateral damage, by using a target designator system. Can anyone tell me how these work?”
Nearly all ordnance that comes from the air these days uses intelligence of some kind to direct them to the target. This improves the probability of realizing the desired effect and minimizing collateral damage. Most target designators employ a designator laser beam. These may be projected from a platform in the air, e.g.-spotter or bomber aircraft, or from the surface, e.g.- soldiers with their eyes on the target. This beam is usually not in the visible light range and is modulated in some fashion to make it easier to distinguish from other natural or man made light sources. The ordnance then carries technology that can identify and then guide the device to the source of the reflected, properly modulated, light. But I bet you already knew that.
Brain Teaser Challenge – January 2010 Butch Shadwell
Parker Peter was a science nerd. One day his school went for a field trip to a laboratory where they experiment with genetically altered earthworms. As the students were visiting the specimen cases, he discovered that one of the slithering mutants had escaped. Then while he was distracted taking pictures of the lab assistants, the errant annelid managed to sink its fangs (I did say it was a mutant, right) into the unsuspecting Parker. Naturally, Parker experienced only mild side effects as his body was transformed into that of a superhuman with all of the powers of a very large earth worm.
Aside from the ability to asexually reproduce, Wormboy also gained the ability to flatten his body so he could slide under the door to enter a locked room and borough in the soil. His arch enemy, The Bass Fisherman, discovered that passing an electric current through the ground would force Wormboy to come to the surface and reveal his whereabouts. BF decided to measure the bulk resistivity of the soil with four probes 1 cm apart and got 20 ohms. What is the bulk resistivity of this soil?
Reply to Butch Shadwell at b.shadwell@ieee.org (email), 904-410-9751 (fax), 904-410-9750 (v), 3308 Queen Palm Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32250-2328. (http://www.shadtechserv.com) The names of correct respondents may be mentioned in the
Brain
Teaser Challenge by Butch Shadwell
