Candy choices reveal secrets of the universe.(usage of candy to investigate physical and mathematical principles)(Brief Article)

Professional Candy Buyer, March, 2004

PRINCETON, NJ -- M&M's were used to investigate the physical and mathematical principles in play when panicles are poured randomly into a vessel. The question of how particles pack together has been a scientific problem since the 16th century, and the findings have implications in the design of high-density ceramic materials used in aerospace and other applications.

Using M&M's, scientists at Princeton University discovered oblate spheroids pack much more densely than regular spheres when poured randomly and shaken. Prior to this, scientists did not know randomly assembled particles could pack so densely.

The study yielded an added benefit for those trying to guess the number of candies in a jar. If the candies are chocolate M&M's, estimate the...

Read the rest of this article with a Free Trial at HighBeam Research.

Premium Content Partnership | HighBeam Research provides an in-depth online archive library of reference works.