at the atomic level, how does cutting paper with scissors work?

Question

How do molecules of the scissor blade break the bonds of the (mostly carbon?) atoms that make up paper without heat?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

Well we don’t use heat to split it, we use mechanical energy. You’re using the energy in your body to push the scissors down and tear apart the bonds. You’re not cutting it in the atomic level. You’re more like pushing it apart.