How far will a tomato splatter when you drop it from a 20-foot lift?
Oh, about 8 feet.
That was the finding during a physical science experiment Monday at Warren County High School.
Ninth-graders in Jared Kirby’s class did a variety of tests that included dropping an egg, cantaloupe, and tomato from a 20-foot scissor lift. Students did other tests too, such as shooting a cellphone with a slingshot, in an effort to determine how items disperse differently upon impact.
“This being hands-on, it gives us a better understanding,” said student Owen Mills. “When an object had more speed and power behind it, there was much more splatter.”
After the items hit, student Ethan Greene was ready with a tape measure to see how far the splatter extended. Jasmine Sartin recorded the results.
“They do this sort of thing in crime scene investigation,” said student Katie Bouldin. “It simulates how far blood might splatter if someone was bashed in the head.”
Mr. Kirby said the project has taken months of planning and the class is going to enter it in the school science fair.
“We collected some interesting data,” Kirby said.
It was an experiment enjoyed by student Noah Miles.
“This is the best class project ever and I got to eat free cantaloupe,” said Miles, who scooped up the busted melon and had a few bites.