– Why do ribbons get coily when you stretch then out?

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– Why do ribbons get coily when you stretch then out?

In: Physics

Anonymous 0 Comments

Because the ribbon material has been stored in a coiled loop for a long time.

The outer layer of the coil has been stretched more compared to the inner layer of the coil, so the outer layer is actually longer than the inner layer.

Imagine trying to clap your hand to your foot, with the tips of your fingers touching the tips of your toes, and the heel touching the butt of your palm. Your foot need to curl up to do that, right? That’s what’s happening in the ribbon coil – the outer layer curls around the inner layer, and when you curl things enough they become a coil.