this post was submitted on 25 Jun 2025
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xkcd #3106: Farads (imgs.xkcd.com)
submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
 

xkcd #3106: Farads

Title text:

'This HAZMAT container contains radioactive material with activity of one becquerel.' 'So, like, a single banana slice?'

Transcript:

[Cueball holds a stick while talking with Megan and White Hat.]
Cueball: This stick is one meter long.
Megan: Cool.
White Hat: That's a nice stick.

[Cueball holds a smallish rock.]
Cueball: This rock weighs one pound.
Megan: I'd believe it.
White Hat: Looks like a normal rock.

[Cueball holds a small battery.]
Cueball: This battery is one volt.
Megan: Seems fine.
White Hat: Might need a recharge.

[Cueball holds a capacitor while Megan and White Hat panic.]
Cueball: This capacitor is one farad.
Megan: Aaaaa! Be careful!!
White Hat: Put it down!!

Source: https://xkcd.com/3106/

explainxkcd for #3106

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[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

So what you're saying is that if I touched that in the wrong manner I'd get blown across the room?

[โ€“] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

Uh yeah, I'm pretty sure the discharge can stop your heart if you grab it in precisely wrong manner. Typical defibrillator uses like 50 times less energy, but with a higher voltage.