Re: The Doucet Theory on Pumpkins with Split Personalities

Bart,

I concede that the air inside a pumpkin probably does
not see radical temperature changes, even if the
pumpkin is left in the sun.  Mike has measured this
and has seen about a 10 degree swing.  This reduces
the possible Doucet effect due to temperature changes
but does not eliminate it.

I'm believe changes in barimetric pressure would may
little difference because they are so small.  Flying
the pumpkin from sea level to 10,000 feet would have a
significant effect, however, if my theory holds water.

diana

--- Bart Toftness <toftness@mindspring.com> wrote:
> Diana
> 
> I think its great that you have tried to find an
> explanation for why and
> how the pumpkins split.  We only learn by
> questioning events around us.
> Sorry but I need to take issue with your explanation
> of what makes the air
> heat up inside the pumpkin.  You have stated...
> 	"Have you ever gone inside a tent on a cool day
> when
> 	full sun is hitting the tent?  The air inside the
> tent
> 	gets stifling hot.  When I have pumpkins in full
> sun,
> 	I've noticed that the surface of the pumpkin facing
> 	the sun is hot to the touch and the bottom of the
> 	pumpkin is still cool.  The pumpkin has so much
> mass
> 	that the part of it that is not being directly
> heated
> 	by the sun changes temperature slowly even though
> the
> 	outside air temperature may be 85.  The air inside
> the
> 	pumpkin changes temperature very readily just like
> the
> 	air inside a tent."
> 
> I agree with your observation inside a tent.  In
> this case I don't believe
> it is an appropriate analogy.  You have observed
> that "The pumpkin has so
> much mass 	that the part of it that is not being
> directly heated by the sun
> changes temperature slowly even though the outside
> air temperature may be
> 85."  It is precisely because of the pumpkin mass
> that the inside air does
> not change much if at all.  It is this mass that
> insulated the inside air
> from temperature change.  In contrast the tent
> example has little mass to
> dissipate the heat so it is radiated into the
> captive air space inside the
> tent and it gets hot. 
> 
> Next is a question for you.  How would your theory
> accommodate the changes
> in barometric pressure?  Would these sometimes rapid
> changes (higher or
> lower) have a catastrophic impact? 
> 
> 
> keep thinking, its a good thing
> Bart Toftness
> 
>
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