Why does it rip when you tug sharply on toilet paper, rather than just unravelling as it would if you tugged with less force, but quicker?
In: Physics
>if you tugged with less force, but quicker
That’s not physically possible. Force is mass × acceleration. A sheet of toilet paper always weighs the same, ∴ if you pull it quicker it will automatically be with more force. Anything else is physically impossible.
When you pull quicker, you’re using more force, but over a shorter amount of time. With more force, the serrated part of the toilet paper becomes the weakest link and breaks.
Latest Answers