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?

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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

2 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

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.

Anonymous 0 Comments

>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.