The Physics of Sliding Doors: Forces in Balance

In summary, when you close a sliding door forcefully, it will eventually bounce back out about halfway due to the principle of every force having an opposite force. This is similar to how a book stays still on a table, with the force of gravity being balanced by the table pushing upwards. This reaction is caused by the elasticity of both the door and the doorframe, as they store the energy put into them by the impact and then release it in the form of potential energy pushing the door back. This explanation was described as "nice" and the speaker asked if the summarizer was a teacher.
  • #1
AnthreX
47
0
when you close those sliding doors really hard
the door will eventually bounce back out about half way where you have pushed the door. is it because every force has an opposite side of force ? for example when we put the book on the table,
the gravity force is pulling the book down but the table is actually pushing the book upwards which makes it even, so the book stays on the very still.
 
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  • #2
Yes, you are seeing a reaction to the original force put into the door. The specific mechanism by which this law is manifesting tiself is elasticity. When the door htis the doorframe, both are slightly deformed by the force of the impact. As they are being forced out of their original shape, both objects store the energy originally put into them by your arm, this energy building up as potential energy in the material being deformed. When the material's resistence to deformation is equal to the amount the remaining force acting against it, the door and frame both come to a stop, with all that energy stored in the material. Then, the material's tendency to return to its original shape releases the stored potential energy in the act of "springing back" into shape. This energy pushes the door back away from the doorframe, just as the original deforming force pushed it into the doorframe.
 
  • #3
wow

r u a teacher ?

damn nice explanation
 

Related to The Physics of Sliding Doors: Forces in Balance

1. What causes sliding doors to open and close?

Sliding doors open and close due to the balance of forces acting on them. When a person pushes the door, they apply a force that overcomes the static friction between the door and the track, causing the door to move. Once the door is in motion, the force of kinetic friction helps to keep it moving until it is stopped by another force, such as a person pulling on the door handle.

2. Why do sliding doors sometimes get stuck?

Sliding doors can get stuck when there is not enough force to overcome the static friction between the door and the track. This can happen if the door is too heavy or if the track is dirty or damaged. In order to prevent this, regular maintenance and cleaning of the track is important.

3. How do the forces acting on a sliding door change when it is in motion?

When a sliding door is in motion, the balance of forces changes. The force of kinetic friction helps to keep the door moving, while the force of air resistance may act in the opposite direction. If the door is being pushed or pulled at an angle, the force of gravity may also play a role in its motion.

4. How does the weight of a sliding door affect its motion?

The weight of a sliding door affects its motion by increasing the force of static friction that must be overcome in order to get the door moving. The heavier the door, the greater the force needed to move it. This is why it can be more difficult to open or close a heavy sliding door compared to a lighter one.

5. Can the forces acting on a sliding door be calculated?

Yes, the forces acting on a sliding door can be calculated using basic principles of physics, such as Newton's laws of motion and the equations for friction. Factors such as the weight of the door, the angle at which it is being pushed or pulled, and the condition of the track can all be taken into account in these calculations.

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