Re: [Phys-L] weather, school, and cars

["LaMontagne, Bob" <RLAMONT@providence.edu>]

Do cars still have carburetors?

Bob at PC

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Phys-l [mailto:phys-l-bounces@phys-l.org] On Behalf Of Richard Tarara
> Sent: Monday, January 27, 2014 11:26 PM
> To: Phys-L@Phys-L.org
> Subject: Re: [Phys-L] weather, school, and cars
>
> Schools have been closed several days here (Northern Indiana--in the lake
> effect snow zone)  since the Xmas break, almost all because of wind chill.
> Seems that neither children nor parents can be trusted to dress themselves
> or their children warm enough to avoid damage.  I don't ever remember this
> concern in earlier years  Now the counties around here have gotten into the
> game as well imposing travel restrictions (to be fair mostly so they can clear
> the roads drifting shut--blowing more than
> snowing) but threatening $2500 fines for any non essential travel.  This has
> forced all the local schools--even Notre Dame--to close until Wednesday.
> Morning Wednesday temps and wind chills will probably keep the public
> schools closed still another day (they do have to make these up).
>
> Again, to put this in a pseudo historical perspective, the 1978 Blizzard here
> (dumping 4 ft of snow in 2 days) was the first time that the University of
> Notre Dame had ever officially closed.  Of course back then almost all
> students lived on campus and only the poor faculty were expected to make it
> in, regardless.  Yes, liability and our over-abundance of lawyers, many
> advertising on TV to the tune that they will sue anyone for anything, has
> changed the approach to bad weather. :-\
>
> rwt
>
>
> On 1/27/2014 10:10 PM, Anthony Lapinski wrote:
> > I've been talking with a friend in Chicago, and he's mentioned about
> > schools being closed due to the very cold weather there. I asked
> > specifically the reasons for the closings, and he could not really
> > tell me. I also searched online for some explanations. Does anyone
> > know? Too expensive to heat the buildings? Health risk for kids
> > waiting outside for buses? Buses malfunctioning?
> >
> > He also mentioned that many stores are out of HEET. As I understand
> > it, HEET is a sort of gasoline antifreeze that contains alcohol which
> > prevents the carburetor from icing. Is this additive really necessary
> > since gasoline, depending on the type, generally freezes at a very low
> > temperature (-72 °C)? And does this depend on how full the gas tank is?
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Forum for Physics Educators
> > Phys-l@phys-l.org
> > http://www.phys-l.org/mailman/listinfo/phys-l
>
>
> --
> Richard Tarara
> Professor of Physics
> Saint Mary's College
>
> free Physics educational software
> www.saintmarys.edu/~rtarara/software.html
>
> _______________________________________________
> Forum for Physics Educators
> Phys-l@phys-l.org
> http://www.phys-l.org/mailman/listinfo/phys-l