On Tue, 17 Jan 2006 00:32:31 GMT
wrote:

On 16 Jan,
"Blueyonder" wrote:


The only evacuated tube commonplace in homes today is the TV tube,
and look at how thick the glass is on the from of that to withstand
the pressure. TV tubes are held together by a strong metal band
just inside the case from the front. If that is removed, then the
whole thing will explode spectacularly (and will have your eyes
out and most of your face off - so don't even think about
experimenting).

ITYM implode.

Probably. There is, however, no practical difference. I've seen
high-speed films of TV tubes imploding (tests for implosion guards
back in the 1960's). The pieces are flung by the inflowing air into the
middle, where some hit one another and bounce back, and others just
keep on going. The net effect is a violent explosion where bits of glass
and the metal bits of the gun are expelled at high speed. The most
dangerous bit is the electron gun that usually flies straight out the
front where a viewer would be!

One of the reasons for the metal band is to direct any implosion - a
bit like a shaped charge for demolition.

HTH, R.