Table-Cloth Trick: Exploring Inertia & Friction

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In summary, the success of the table-cloth trick can be attributed to both inertia and the pulling force of the person. While inertia is necessary for the trick to work, the key is to pull with enough force to remove the tablecloth quickly, minimizing the effects of dynamic friction and reducing the speed of the objects. This is achieved by pulling with a greater force in a short amount of time, resulting in a smaller amount of momentum and slower movement of the objects.
  • #1
Bashyboy
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Hi,

Is the success of the table-cloth trick ascribed to inertia, or the fact that the person pulling on the table-cloth is able to pull with a greater force than the static friction trying to oppose relative motion of the objects on the table-cloth and the table cloth itself?
 
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  • #2
Have you considered that it could be both?
 
  • #3
Inertia is certainly necessary, but the real trick is to pull so hard that the tablecloth will be removed in a very short time that the dynamic friction doesn't have time to accelerate the objects much. The amount of momentum the objects get is (friction force) * (time), so by making the time as short as possible, the momentum, and thus the speed of the objects will be made as small as possible.
 

Related to Table-Cloth Trick: Exploring Inertia & Friction

1. What is the purpose of the table-cloth trick?

The table-cloth trick is used to demonstrate the concepts of inertia and friction. It can help us understand how objects at rest tend to stay at rest, and how a force applied to an object in motion can change its speed or direction.

2. How does the table-cloth trick work?

The table-cloth trick involves pulling a tablecloth out from under a set of dishes or objects without disturbing them. This is possible due to the principle of inertia, which states that objects at rest tend to stay at rest unless acted upon by an external force. As long as the force applied to the tablecloth is gentle and quick enough, the dishes will remain in place due to their inertia.

3. What role does friction play in the table-cloth trick?

Friction is the force that resists the motion of objects sliding against each other. In the case of the table-cloth trick, the friction between the tablecloth and the dishes helps to keep them in place. This is because the friction force acts in the opposite direction of the pull on the tablecloth, preventing the dishes from moving along with it.

4. Can the table-cloth trick be performed with any type of cloth?

No, the type of cloth used in the table-cloth trick is important. The cloth must have a smooth surface and be relatively thin to minimize friction between the cloth and the dishes. A thick or rough cloth would create too much friction, making it difficult to pull the cloth out smoothly without disturbing the dishes.

5. What other factors may affect the success of the table-cloth trick?

The success of the table-cloth trick may also depend on the weight and placement of the objects on the table. Heavier objects or objects placed closer to the edge of the table may require more force to overcome their inertia and may be more likely to move with the cloth. Additionally, the speed and direction of the cloth pull can also affect the outcome of the trick.

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