Live data from Hacker News

The Physics of Bras

discovermagazine.com

1–10 of 35 posts

Re: The Physics of Bras

#2
Wondering if this upvoted article will generate any serious discussion. I stopped counting after I had gone through 9 different bra sizes over the years. I found the article quite interesting.

Re: The Physics of Bras

#6
I remember in one of my materials classes they used bras as an example where martensitic metals were used. Apparently these materials were chosen to help bras retain their shape (such alloys are also called shape-memory alloys). However, shape memory alloys usually deform back once heated. I've always wondered if this was true. Anyone who has ever washed theirs in hot water want to confirm?

Re: The Physics of Bras

#8
post #7
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yup. It causes lots of back pain.

[deleted]

My double-D's are a thing of the past. But thanks for the "chivalrous" offer.

(Please see my previous post about having lost count of the number of bra sizes I've been through.)

Re: The Physics of Bras

#10

holy mother of "A pair of D-cup breasts weighs between 15 and 23 pounds—the equivalent of carrying around two small turkeys."

That statistic seems slightly off to me.

If we assume that the breasts are the same density as water (which is probably too high, as they're mostly fat, which is less dense than water), 23 pounds is about equal to a 12 inch by 7.5 inch by 7.5 inch block of pure flesh.

Maybe it's just me, but I think that fails a simple sanity test.

Edit: Wikipedia says "The average breast weighs about 0.5 kilograms (1.1 lb)" with some decent sources, and given that the average bust is a C-cup, I highly doubt that a D-cup weighs 5-10 times more than that.

Post reply on HN