Final answer:
The fracture lines radiating outward from a crack in glass are known as radial fractures. They form a radial pattern, resembling the spokes of a wheel. The pattern of radial fractures can provide information about the force that caused the glass to fracture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fracture lines radiating outward from a crack in glass are known as radial fractures. When glass is subjected to a force that exceeds its strength, it develops cracks that spread out from the point of impact. These cracks form a radial pattern, extending in straight lines from the center of the crack, resembling the spokes of a wheel.
Radial fractures are commonly observed in glass objects such as windows, windshields, and glass containers. The pattern of radial fractures can provide valuable information about the direction and type of force that caused the glass to fracture.
For example, when a glass window is struck with a blunt object, such as a baseball, the resulting radial fractures will be centered around the impact point and extend outward. In contrast, if a window is subjected to a bending force, the radial fractures will originate at the edge of the window and propagate towards the center.