Beau Peep Notice Board

Beau Peep Notice Board => Outpourings => Topic started by: Redundant on April 23, 2012, 02:32:23 PM

Title: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Redundant on April 23, 2012, 02:32:23 PM
So here’s the thing.   I experience headaches on a regular basis, and to counter them I take medication which comes in the form of two soluble tablets, roughly the same size as the old UK halfpenny, or slightly larger than the current UK five pence piece or the American quarter.

Before dropping them in the water I [rather adroitly I might add] break each tablet into four roughly equal parts by dextrous use of thumb and forefinger.   On a superficial level I seemingly decided that this aided in the time taken to dissolve the tablets…but does it?   On the one hand I am dissolving four smaller tablets rather than one large one, but overall aren’t these four smaller tables the equivalent of the large one?   Have I created more area available for dissolving given that the dissolution appears to takes place on the surface area?

One of three any/all/other answers if you please, preferably with sound scientific supporting arguments, but I’ll settle for the “dip dip dip” or the “pinning a tail on the donkey” methodology as well.

The four smaller tablets dissolve quicker

Jussi Björling

The larger single tablet dissolves quicker

Keyser Söze

No thanks, I already ate

Both dissolve within the same rate of time

The Butler, in the pantry, with a knife

I like bubbles
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Diane CBPFC on April 23, 2012, 05:10:31 PM
I dunno, I've got a headache from reading your post.
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Roger Kettle on April 23, 2012, 06:08:28 PM
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Redundant on April 23, 2012, 06:20:15 PM
I dunno, I've got a headache from reading your post.

I have some tablets for that.
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Redundant on April 23, 2012, 06:25:55 PM
I've added some extra possible answers and included a secret question in light blue font...





Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: The Peepmaster on April 23, 2012, 06:38:49 PM
The trouble is, you can't really get perfectly straight bananas.

If you want an intelligent answer from an intellectual heavyweight, you should ask Mince. I'm sure he once said he knew someone by that description that he could refer you to.
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Redundant on April 23, 2012, 06:52:20 PM
That's three for "I like bubbles" then...
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Jack on April 23, 2012, 06:59:37 PM
As you increase the surface area, you are increasing the rate at which the tablet will dissolve.

As to whether or not you are increasing it by enough to make a worthwhile difference...
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: The Peepmaster on April 23, 2012, 07:36:05 PM
As you increase the surface area, you are increasing the rate at which the tablet will dissolve.

As to whether or not you are increasing it by enough to make a worthwhile difference...

That sound eminently sensible. You could have the tablets specially made so they were wafer-thin, and about a metre in diameter.

Mind you, you wouldn't be able to get them in the glass of water then.
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Roger Kettle on April 23, 2012, 08:29:17 PM
Or you could just swallow them.
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Redundant on April 23, 2012, 08:59:39 PM
I'm counting the Peepmaster as two "I like bubbles" at this point, and am assuming Roger is several hundred metres in height because he can swallow very, very big tablets...in which case couldn't you just stride across the earth to get to where Custer dropped the ball rather than the long flight in what would seem to be a very small aeroplane in comparision?
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Bilthehut on April 23, 2012, 11:18:12 PM
Having just arrived at this topic, I am concerned that someone else is using the same make of tablets and breaking them up in the same fashion as myself.  Is this deejahvoo or wot?

My scientific analysis, conducted over a number of days in the past ( and having some disgusting tasting erzatsch substitutes for the real deal to get rid of), concluded that breaking the tablets up reduced the time as the surface area was increased.  Try it having crushed the tablets into powder for the ultimate fizzy event.  Couple the maximisation of surface area with stirring the water ensures that fresh water is in contact with the tablet surface, rather than being blocked by a developing bubble.

We get through quite a few of the magic tablets as we seem to get a variety of headaches here in wet Dorset (we also share the immediate surrounds with 'George', our crackling power pylon).
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: The Peepmaster on April 23, 2012, 11:25:25 PM
Maybe BillyTheShed and RedAnt are both and the same? You never heard of Moses breaking his tablets.
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Redundant on April 24, 2012, 12:32:27 AM
Maybe BillyTheShed and RedAnt are both and the same? You never heard of Moses breaking his tablets.

If I can get some scrumpy out of it I'll admit anything, as for Moses, they weren't actually his tablets he got them from a friend, although they were of the proscription variety.

Having just arrived at this topic, I am concerned that someone else is using the same make of tablets and breaking them up in the same fashion as myself.  Is this deejahvoo or wot?
I think it's wot.

Quote
My scientific analysis, conducted over a number of days in the past ( and having some disgusting tasting erzatsch substitutes for the real deal to get rid of), concluded that breaking the tablets up reduced the time as the surface area was increased.  Try it having crushed the tablets into powder for the ultimate fizzy event.
Love this idea, will experiment immediately, banging my head against the wall if necessary [it won't be] to create the relevant inducement. 
Quote
Couple the maximisation of surface area with stirring the water ensures that fresh water is in contact with the tablet surface, rather than being blocked by a developing bubble.
You lost me on maximisation but I may well make this my headache mantra from this moment on.

Quote
we also share the immediate surrounds with 'George', our crackling power pylon).
Bit greedy having your own power pylon, although I do enjoy a bit of crackling.


Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Bilthehut on April 24, 2012, 03:34:21 PM
George is not crackling at the moment as it is not raining.

One tablet in 50 ml water takes 60 seconds to stop fizzing and be fully dissolved, having been broken up into about 8 pieces and stirred.  Another unbroken tablet took 80 seconds to dissolve in 50 ml water and stirred.

The case rests, mi'lud.
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Redundant on April 24, 2012, 04:10:33 PM
George is not crackling at the moment as it is not raining.

One tablet in 50 ml water takes 60 seconds to stop fizzing and be fully dissolved, having been broken up into about 8 pieces and stirred.  Another unbroken tablet took 80 seconds to dissolve in 50 ml water and stirred.

The case rests, mi'lud.

Well, I may have lost a fiver having only counted four "I like bubbles" as the correct answer, but it was worth it to see such dedication, if you ever have need of a balding, slightly rotund, aging acolyte [brings own headache], let me know and I'll apply immediately [I'll even help you "move" George to a better place].
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Jack on April 24, 2012, 09:08:15 PM
I just want to point out that I told you the correct answer early on in this topic.

I'd also like to point out that I just taught this same thing to a group of 11 year olds today, most of whom were able to predict this outcome fairly straightforwardly. I'd like to point that out, but I won't, because it would probably make you feel bad, and I'm too kind to do so.
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Redundant on April 24, 2012, 09:41:34 PM
I just want to point out that I told you the correct answer early on in this topic.

I know...

Quote
I'd also like to point out that I just taught this same thing to a group of 11 year olds today, most of whom were able to predict this outcome fairly straightforwardly.

I posted this yesterday, so not only did you ruin my chances of getting five "I like bubbles" by exciting Bilthehut's research genes...you stole my question...

Quote
I'd like to point that out, but I won't, because it would probably make you feel bad, and I'm too kind to do so.

Nope, don't feel bad at all, feel quite good, tried "Bilthehut's crushed fizzy suprise" [I named it in his honour], very nice.
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Jack on April 24, 2012, 10:06:06 PM
As a bonus tip, if you blow bubbles into it using a straw, it won't make much difference to the effectiveness of the tablets, but it's good fun nonetheless.

Also try adding different food colourings - hours of entertainment to be had.
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Redundant on April 24, 2012, 10:24:22 PM
Food colourings sounds fun but we may need to drag in Bilthehut to see if I can get a rainbow effect.  I've moved on to mixing tablets with a Gin & Tonic, doesn't cure my headache but it gets my wife drunk quicker.
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Bilthehut on April 24, 2012, 10:27:26 PM
Try putting some tablets in a balloon filled with a little water.  Once it has inflated, bite into the balloon for a shot.
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Redundant on April 24, 2012, 10:30:59 PM
Try putting some tablets in a balloon filled with a little water.  Once it has inflated, bite into the balloon for a shot.

You're my drug guru
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Bilthehut on April 24, 2012, 10:37:16 PM
Red, I'm touched by your naming of the 'surprise'. 

I have just regaled t'other alf the whole post and her comment (through the pain of a sore throat and laughter) is that we are supposed to be adults on this forum.

just where does it say that!
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Redundant on April 24, 2012, 10:48:11 PM
You got me at "I'm touched"  ;D   Suzanne and I have been married for 21 years and together for about 25 years, she just wanders into my home "office", looks at the screen, mutters something about second marriages and goes off to hit the wine rack again [which is handy because I stuck that together and it makes me a tad nervous when it actually has bottles on it...or is that in it?].

I hope your t'other half gets better I guess a sore throat and laughter is the exception to the rule of "laughter being the best medicine", try and depress her a little, it's for the best.
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Bilthehut on April 24, 2012, 11:18:11 PM
You got me at "I'm touched"  ;D   Suzanne and I have been married for 21 years and together for about 25 years, she just wanders into my home "office", looks at the screen, mutters something about second marriages and goes off to hit the wine rack again [which is handy because I stuck that together and it makes me a tad nervous when it actually has bottles on it...or is that in it?].
I'm not quite coming up for parole yet after 33 years.

I hope your t'other half gets better I guess a sore throat and laughter is the exception to the rule of "laughter being the best medicine", try and depress her a little, it's for the best.

Depressing her at the moment has little effect in a water bed.
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Redundant on April 24, 2012, 11:31:08 PM

I'm not quite coming up for parole yet after 33 years.

I think I said depress your wife not me, that wine rack isn't going to make it another 12 days never mind 12 years

Quote
Depressing her at the moment has little effect in a water bed.

That might qualify as too much information, alternately isn't there something about a butterfly effect and ripples, if you both bounced around a little [and that's just what it says on the tin, not a euphemism] maybe you could drown France, just in the interests of science mind.
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Bilthehut on April 25, 2012, 10:51:50 AM
The bed is for a better sleep with less disurbance.  They now have baffles inside to minimise any wave motion or surges.  Is that toooo much info for you?
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Redundant on April 25, 2012, 06:54:29 PM
My guru has spoken, and chastised the crappy grammar, or possibly chastised me for my crappy grammar, toooooooooooo depressed for words...
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Bilthehut on April 26, 2012, 12:07:01 AM
Who did wot to who?

Addendum to previous experiment.  Fully crushed two tablets in 100ml water.  30 seconds to fizzy end.  Note to self - make sure a large glass is used if I do this gain.  The bubbles are faaaast!
Title: Re: A drug conundrum?
Post by: Redundant on April 26, 2012, 12:28:55 AM

Addendum to previous experiment.  Fully crushed two tablets in 100ml water.  30 seconds to fizzy end.  Note to self - make sure a large glass is used if I do this gain.  The bubbles are faaaast!

Dedication is a thing of beauty.   By the way I realised my signature almost relates to your personal message [...waiting for a lift], not deliberately I might add, so we do drugs, hang around in or near lifts...finally...Daddy, I've come home  :'(

Just spotted how old you are...finally...Brother, I've come home  :'(