Mystery of How a Drinking Glass Shatters Without Help

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In summary, a 16 oz drinking glass half full of water shattered without any apparent help, leaving behind a mound of finely ground glass arranged neatly in a circle equal to the original circumference of the bottom of the drinking glass. Despite various theories, it seems impossible for this to occur without some kind of special machine or intervention.
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stagedradio
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A 16 oz drinking glass half full of water shatters without any apparent help. The result is a mound of finely ground glass arranged neatly in a circle equal to the original circumference of the bottom of the drinking glass. Can physics explain how this happened? (No physics background here.)

Note: While I've heard that sound waves can shatter glass, wouldn't one suppose the glass would move about in random directions and break apart into various sizes. Is there some laboratory experiment that could shatter a drinking glass where the glass would be reduced to this fine mesh and also be contained within its original circumference?
 
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Anyone claiming this happened without a special machine to make it happen exactly
this way is lying.
 
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Antiphon said:
Anyone claiming this happened without a special machine to make it happen exactly
this way is lying.
Yeah. There are lots of ways that a glass can shatter, and I suppose that safety-glass residue could be described as a powder compared to something like shards, but this particular scenario would appear to be impossible. Even if some extremely unlikely fluke of nature resulted in all of the glass falling inward to form a mound, the water that was in it would wash it away.
 

FAQ: Mystery of How a Drinking Glass Shatters Without Help

How does a drinking glass shatter without any external force applied?

There are a few possible explanations for this phenomenon. One is that the glass may have had a small imperfection or crack that was not visible to the naked eye, and it finally gave way due to stress or temperature changes. Another possibility is that the glass was weakened over time by repeated use and eventually shattered on its own. Additionally, vibrations in the surrounding environment, such as from a loud noise or an earthquake, could also cause the glass to shatter.

Can a glass shatter without any visible damage beforehand?

Yes, it is possible for a glass to shatter without any visible damage beforehand. As mentioned earlier, the glass may have had a small imperfection or crack that was not noticeable, but eventually led to the shattering. It is also possible for the glass to have been weakened over time by repeated use, even if there are no visible signs of damage on the surface.

Is it dangerous to use a glass that has shattered without any external force?

In most cases, it is not safe to use a glass that has shattered without any external force. Even if the glass appears to be intact, there may be tiny shards or slivers that could cause injury if ingested. It is best to dispose of the glass and use a new one to avoid any potential hazards.

Are there any preventative measures to avoid a glass shattering on its own?

While it is impossible to completely prevent a glass from shattering on its own, there are some precautions that can be taken to reduce the likelihood. Avoid using glasses with small imperfections or cracks, and try not to subject them to extreme temperature changes. It is also a good idea to handle glasses gently and not stack them on top of each other, as this can create stress and weaken the glass over time.

Can a glass shattering on its own be a sign of a higher power or supernatural force?

No, the shattering of a glass without any external force is a natural phenomenon that can be explained by science. While it may seem mysterious or even supernatural, there is always a logical explanation for these events. It is important to approach these occurrences with a scientific mindset and not jump to supernatural conclusions.

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