Challenge #00520 - A145: Given Enough Rope

Observe - a Mad Scientist that’s cracked a little more than usual, and has completely stuffed up their cost-benefits analysis:

“This weapon accelerates the round - any variety of tree nut - up to point-eight-cee in the direction of the target. Observe! An average walnut. Walnuts average between five and ten grams, while this particular specimen is right around the middle at seven and a quarter. If I place this nut here - you’ll see the machine analyses the round to determine that it is an accepted ammunition variant - and press this button here, then when the nut impacts the target - the so-called Face on Mars - in a bit under fourteen and a half minutes, we shall see an effect on the area roughly equivalent to a hundred-and-three kiloton bomb! And best of all, the ammunition is so cheap it literally grows on trees!” – RecklessPrudence

"You’re forgetting a few key factors, Weatherby.”

“Such as?”

“To reach Mars, this walnut will have to accelerate at speeds that will cause it to spontaneously combust. And you’ve forgotten about the aerodynamic capabilities of a walnuts surface.”

“Really?” Jane placed her hands on her hips. “And what would you suggest, Professor Hetherington?”

“Well, for comparable mass and density, you’d really need a macadamia nut. They’re denser, smoother and harder than your average walnut.”

She glared at her academic rival. “It’s always Australian things with you, isn’t it, Sheila?”

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