What makes a fruit stack fall?

Scientists in Chile have figured out how many pieces of produce can be removed from a grocery store display before it collapses. The study could help researchers understand why and when avalanches and landslides occur in nature. The team used computer modeling to study fruit displays constructed at different angles, from very steep slopes to more gradual ones. When the slope was extreme, removing one item could prompt a fruit free-fall. But when the pile wasn’t steep, they couldn’t topple it no matter how much fruit they took away. For the average slant, removing more than 10% of the fruit triggered a collapse. These displays are made up of fruit that is mostly the same size and shape. Next, the researchers hope to study items that vary, which would more…

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The Week Junior US (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 198

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