Can You Damage a Chair by Sitting Too Hard?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the impact of sitting forcefully on a chair and its potential to cause damage. The participants calculated the force exerted on the chair, estimating it at approximately 800 Newtons based on a weight of 180 lbs. The formula for gravitational force, Fg = mg, was referenced, highlighting the importance of understanding momentum and impact duration in assessing the average force on the chair. Ultimately, while wear and tear are inevitable, the specific impact force and its implications for chair durability are complex and depend on various factors.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts such as force, mass, and acceleration.
  • Familiarity with the formula for gravitational force (Fg = mg).
  • Knowledge of momentum and its relation to force (Δp/Δt).
  • Basic material science principles regarding chair construction and durability.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the physics of impact forces and how they apply to everyday objects.
  • Explore material science principles related to furniture durability and stress testing.
  • Learn about the effects of weight distribution on furniture performance.
  • Investigate ergonomic design principles for seating to minimize wear and tear.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics enthusiasts, furniture designers, and anyone interested in the durability of household items, particularly those concerned with the effects of weight and force on furniture integrity.

bofford4
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My friend bought a new chair for the living room. He says I sit in it with too much force and claims I basically free fall into the chair (padded chair, like a one person loveseat) and we tried to calculate the pounds per second against the chair but I don't know much about material science and the construction of chairs to withstand anything. The chair is about 1/3meter from my postiere and we got about 1700 lbs of force but I do know that's distributed over my toosh, plus I have knees and make it not exactly a free fall and I am 180 lbs. Its just for fun and I know where and tear happens eventually but is it something to worry about?
 
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I'm not quite sure what your question is but the amount of force that is acting on the chair due to your weight is approximately 800N. I'm not sure how you got 1700lb (which is roughly 7600N.) The formula to find the force of gravity is: Fg = mg. Where m is the mass of the object in kg and g is the gravitational field strength of whatever is causing the gravitational attraction. For the earth, this is 9.8 \frac{N}{kg}. Gravitational field strength in other words is the acceleration due to gravity, so it can be stated as 9.8 m s-2.
 
Well, there is no simple answer for this question. As you accelerate due to gravity field, you gain momentum, which you lose during the impact with the chair, in some time interval. The average force that you exert on the chair can be calculated by dividing the gained momentum with the impact duration (remember the definition of force : Δp/Δt)
 

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