Foxes Player Quiz

[Houdini Logic]

What weighs more - a ton of feathers or a ton or bricks?

Morrison

'...err... a ton of bricks?'

[Shrenchel]

Clever little bastard.

In normal conditions (in Earth's atmosphere, at the same elevation) a ton of bricks weighs more than a ton of feathers, because the density of a brick is greater than density of a feather (feathers are mostly hollow inside). Therefore, the Earth's atmosphere has a greater "floating" effect on the feathers, making them weigh less than bricks.

People who give "both weigh the same" answer ignore the fact that a ton (1000 kg) is the measure of mass, not weight. Let me ask: what weighs more, a ton of rocks or a ton of helium-filled ballons.

[lcfcadam]

Clever little bastard.

In normal conditions (in Earth's atmosphere, at the same elevation) a ton of bricks weighs more than a ton of feathers, because the density of a brick is greater than density of a feather (feathers are mostly hollow inside). Therefore, the Earth's atmosphere has a greater "floating" effect on the feathers, making them weigh less than bricks.

People who give "both weigh the same" answer ignore the fact that a ton (1000 kg) is the measure of mass, not weight. Let me ask: what weighs more, a ton of rocks or a ton of helium-filled ballons.

Correct me if I'm wrong:

In a vacuum, at one specific point on Earth, feathers (or helium balloons) of mass 1000kg will weigh approximately 1000 newtons (more or less): exactly the same as the bricks (or rocks)...

Obviously the same doesn't apply out in the real world, with air resistance etc.

[Trav Le Bleu]

Clever little bastard.

In normal conditions (in Earth's atmosphere, at the same elevation) a ton of bricks weighs more than a ton of feathers, because the density of a brick is greater than density of a feather (feathers are mostly hollow inside). Therefore, the Earth's atmosphere has a greater "floating" effect on the feathers, making them weigh less than bricks.

People who give "both weigh the same" answer ignore the fact that a ton (1000 kg) is the measure of mass, not weight. Let me ask: what weighs more, a ton of rocks or a ton of helium-filled ballons.

Except though that on Earth a ton of feathers would weigh exatly the same as a ton of bricks. Mass and volume are not to be confused. A ton of feathers simply layered one on top of the other with no attempt to constrain them would be massive and probably seem lighter as it would be practically impossible to lift them as a whole. However, if you compressed the feathers (and they would STILL be a ton in mass) then it would be absolutely obvious that a ton of feathers weighs the same as a ton of bricks.

The same is true of helium baloons.

I think.