So, we’re all made out of cells, right? And these cells are really super tiny, so why is it when we accidently cut ourselves, like a papercut or from glass, the sharp edge just doesn’t push the cells to the side?
Further, do those edges push aside out individual atoms too, or somehow have we just been avoiding death via splitting atoms?
In: 139
Because a sharp object does not cut by “dividing through” anything. The reason a sharp object cuts is because it applies force to a very small surface area. Because pressure is equal to force/area, a force applied to a small surface area results in a very high pressure. The high pressure punctures the surface, which is what makes the cut. A dull cutting instrument fails to cut because the cutting edge is rounded and therefore presents a larger surface area, resulting in a larger denominator and lower pressure.
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