I learn something new on this forum every day
I think you're wrong. The structure of glass on a molecular level is like that of a liquid, but it doesn't run.Obviously not the case with crown glass, but the reason why plate glass appears distorted in very old buildings, is because glass is a liquid, an extremely viscous and brittle liquid, but a liquid nonetheless.
Over the course of centuries it runs down, so the bottom of the pane is thicker than the top.
Did you have an old encyclopedia in the garage when you got locked out the other night? ha!I think you're wrong. The structure of glass on a molecular level is like that of a liquid, but it doesn't run.
The explanation above of how window glass was made is true. They made a sphere of molten glass that either got pushed down and out or more frequently turned on a spinning wheel into an almost flat disc. In the centre would be a nipple like the ones shown above. The glass would be thicher towards the centre and thinner towards the edges. They cut the glass out of these discs, and they mounted it with the thick end at the base, for obvious constructional reasons.
The centrepiece is useless for window glass, but quite decorative.
Obviously not the case with crown glass, but the reason why plate glass appears distorted in very old buildings, is because glass is a liquid, an extremely viscous and brittle liquid, but a liquid nonetheless.
Over the course of centuries it runs down, so the bottom of the pane is thicker than the top.
While still giving the neighbour a nipple or three to look at....everyone kicks a goal!Not to be pedantic about it, but frosted glass, glass bricks, and maybe this Crown Glass, were meant to let in light but to obscure the view of the indoors to give the residents a little privacy, I think. Some architects gave people shower stalls with glass brick walls to shower in the sunshine without your neighbors' gaze.
Ok, the best I could come up with after a bit of research is that is not a liquid after all, but an amorphous solid, the disorganised molecules of which act as a liquid even so, because they cannot maintain a rigid structure.I think you're wrong. The structure of glass on a molecular level is like that of a liquid, but it doesn't run.
The explanation above of how window glass was made is true. They made a sphere of molten glass that either got pushed down and out or more frequently turned on a spinning wheel into an almost flat disc. In the centre would be a nipple like the ones shown above. The glass would be thicher towards the centre and thinner towards the edges. They cut the glass out of these discs, and they mounted it with the thick end at the base, for obvious constructional reasons.
The centrepiece is useless for window glass, but quite decorative.
But what these MIT guys are talking about is the nipple effect of Crown glass.Here’s MIT’s take on glass;
MIT School of Engineering | » How does glass change over time?
engineering.mit.edu
Ok, the best I could come up with after a bit of research is that is not a liquid after all, but an amorphous solid, the disorganised molecules of which act as a liquid even so, because they cannot maintain a rigid structure.
Therefore I was right that glass does indeed flow downward, but wrong in saying that it is a liquid.
Fact or Fiction?: Glass Is a (Supercooled) Liquid
Are medieval windows melting?www.scientificamerican.com
This article says that for glass to flow to an extent that it could be seen by the human eye it would take longer than the universe has existed.