Which straw fills the cup first?

[Pony]

I see a lot of these online, this is the most difficult I've come across IMO. I think I know the answer.

We're a brighter than average bunch here, lets see if we can beat the 99.9% I believe got it wrong on Facebook.

[Pony]

My answer is:

 

3

[lost in melb.]

If the straws

 

are blocked 6, if not, 2

[Pony]

If the straws

 

are blocked 6, if not, 2

 

6 is blocked at the bottom. Why 2? (2 was the most common answer)

[DemonGeminiX]

Ok, so the lines crossing openings and joints are blocking the flow?

[DemonGeminiX]

Ok, so the lines crossing openings and joints are blocking the flow?

Ok, assuming this above:

 

6, 5, 4, and 3 are all blocked... actually, all of the standard flow points are blocked. The first apparent breach occurs right above the main-3 joint, so the fluid traveling downward will back up to that first breach, and following along that outer line leads to the liquid dropping into the 2 cup. So 2 will be filled first.

[Pony]

Ok, assuming this above:

 

6, 5, 4, and 3 are all blocked... actually, all of the standard flow points are blocked. The first apparent breach occurs right above the main-3 joint, so the fluid traveling downward will back up to that first breach, and following along that outer line leads to the liquid dropping into the 2 cup. So 2 will be filled first.

 

Assuming a liquid will flow along the top of a straw?

[Griffin]

 

6

[Pony]

 

6

 

6 is blocked at the bottom

[DemonGeminiX]

 

Assuming a liquid will flow along the top of a straw?

 

Good point. Ok, then it drips from the breach and falls between 3 and 4 and no cup gets filled at all.

[Pony]

 

Good point. Ok, then it drips from the breach and falls between 3 and 4 and no cup gets filled at all.

 

Most posts I saw said #2. I think there would be enough surface tension for the liquid to run down the underside of straw 3 into cup 3. What do you think?

[DemonGeminiX]

 

Most posts I saw said #2. I think there would be enough surface tension for the liquid to run down the underside of straw 3 into cup 3. What do you think?

 

I think, based on your surface tension argument, 2 gets some, 3 gets some more, and we can even assume that 4 gets some and 5 gets a drop or two by the Jeff Goldblum Jurassic Park Chaos Theory explanation, but if we're assuming typical fluid dynamics, then none gets filled completely and there's a clean up between cups 3 and 4. But if we're going by shitty android 2-dimensional game physics, then 2 gets filled.

[Pony]

[Pony]

 

I think, based on your surface tension argument, 2 gets some, 3 gets some more, and we can even assume that 4 gets some and 5 gets a drop or two by the Jeff Goldblum Jurassic Park Chaos Theory explanation, but if we're assuming typical fluid dynamics, then none gets filled completely and there's a clean up between cups 3 and 4. But if we're going by shitty android 2-dimensional game physics, then 2 gets filled.

 

If we calculate rate of pour vs the size of the openings into the mix, I think you may be right, the majority will likely end up everywhere but in the cups

[Griffin]

 

6 is blocked at the bottom