Can't Pick Yourself Up on a Chair?

  • Thread starter decibel
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In summary, when attempting to lift oneself while sitting in a chair, the equal and opposite forces of the body and the chair negate any lifting motion.
  • #1
decibel
107
1
how come if u sit down on a chair, you can't pick ur self up with your hands
like say u sit on a chair and u cross ur legs with nothing touching the ground or floor, and taking ur hands and tryin to lift the chair with u on it...
how come you can't do that
 
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  • #2
decibel said:
how come if u sit down on a chair, you can't pick ur self up with your hands
like say u sit on a chair and u cross ur legs with nothing touching the ground or floor, and taking ur hands and tryin to lift the chair with u on it...
how come you can't do that
Because if you apply an upwards force on the chair, it applies an equal force downwards on you (on your hands, but you're considered a rigid body in this case, so it's downwards on you as a whole). Normally, if you were not on top of the chair (if you were on the ground) then you would end up transferring this force downwards onto the ground. However, since you're on the chair, you transfer it downwards to the chair. The force that you apply upwards on the chair is ultimately counterbalanced by the force that you end up applying downwards on the chair, resulting, of course, in no lifting of the chair.
 
  • #3
I'll tell you one thing, that would look damn funny :biggrin:
 

What is the "Can't Pick Yourself Up on a Chair" phenomenon?

The "Can't Pick Yourself Up on a Chair" phenomenon refers to the common experience of trying to lift oneself off of a chair without using one's hands or any external support, and being unable to do so.

Why is it difficult to pick oneself up on a chair?

This difficulty arises due to the laws of physics and the distribution of weight. When sitting on a chair, our center of gravity is shifted downwards and backwards, making it challenging to generate enough force to lift ourselves up from this position.

Is there a scientific explanation for this phenomenon?

Yes, there is. The difficulty in picking oneself up on a chair can be attributed to the principle of leverage. In this scenario, the fulcrum (chair) is closer to the load (person's center of gravity), making it harder to exert enough force to lift the load.

Can some people pick themselves up on a chair while others can't?

Yes, it is possible for some individuals to pick themselves up on a chair while others cannot. This can be due to a variety of factors such as body weight, muscle strength, and body proportions, which can all affect one's ability to generate enough force to lift themselves off of a chair.

Are there any techniques or tricks to successfully pick oneself up on a chair?

Yes, there are a few techniques that can make picking oneself up on a chair easier. These include using momentum to swing forward and up, leveraging the feet against the floor, and using the arms to push off of the chair. However, these techniques may not work for everyone and it is important to prioritize safety and avoid injury when attempting this task.

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