During the siege of Syracuse, which consequence of Archimedes' heat rays increased thermal stress unevenly?

💡 Explanation

Localized heating resulted in uneven thermal expansion introducing stresses beyond the yield point, causing brittle fracture because of thermal stress concentration, therefore, shattering occurred, rather than material melting or corrosion which are slower at these temperatures.

• Which outcome occurs when differential settling affects the stonework of Incan terraces?
• Which outcome resulted when Roman siege engines experienced consistent torsion rope degradation during prolonged campaigns?
• Which condition consistently reduced flow capacity of Roman aqueducts over extended periods?
• Which outcome occurs when a Roman aqueduct's settling tank is bypassed during heavy rainfall?
• Which risk increases at a Byzantine mosaic workshop when ambient humidity spikes?
• Which outcome rapidly degraded ancient Mesopotamian irrigation canals experiencing high siltation rates?