[SOC] Math

[Michael Coslo]

On May 27, 2011, at 3:46 AM, Ian C. Purdie wrote:

> I believe she was utterly oblivious [or impervious] to those alternative 
> offerings. I don't think she learned a damn thing from it.

One of the defining moments in my life was finding out that I knew more about most subjects than the "teecher" trying to teach me. Science class, seventh grade:

Mr Markle: okay class,  why does a tungsten light bulb light?

Me:  because electricity flowing through the  filament heats the filament to a temperature that makes it glow.

Mr Markle: Okay, so does the bulb light because the resistance is low or high?

Me: Um...... the resistance changes - it is low at first, then as the filament gets hot, the resistance goes up. 

Mr Markle: Wrong! the resistance is high!

Me: At some time yes, but it changes depending on temperature.

Mr Markle: Don't be stupid Mike.



Now fast forward to a test a few years later.......


Q: What temperature does solder melt at?

A. 350 degrees

B. 360 degrees

C. 400 degrees

D. 450 degrees


Suspecting a trick question, I circled them all.

Got called in. I forget this guy's name.

Him: "Mike, I don't understand what you were trying to say here."

Me: "Well, the melting temperature could be any of those temperatures."

Him: "What are you talking about?

Me: "The melting temp depends on the mix of metals used in the solder."

Him: "That's wrong, the answer is B."

Me: "Yes, for electronic solder."

Him: "Don't be stupid, Mike - Solder is solder, and the answer is B."



- 73 de Mike N3LI -