Physics behind making a mango milk shake

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    Centrifugal Physics
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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the physics involved in using a mixer grinder to create a mango milkshake. Key principles include the conversion of electrical energy from AC current into mechanical energy by the mixer motor, which drives the blades at a stable speed. The centrifugal force generated by the rotating blades causes the ingredients to move outward, creating a vacuum that influences the mixing process. The discussion highlights the importance of blade shape in affecting liquid and solid mixing dynamics, as well as the roles of electromagnetism, mechanics, and fluid mechanics in the operation of the mixer.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetism as it relates to electrical motors
  • Basic mechanics of motor operation and energy conversion
  • Fundamentals of fluid mechanics, particularly in mixing processes
  • Knowledge of centrifugal force and its effects on ingredients in a mixer
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of electromagnetism in electric motors
  • Explore advanced fluid mechanics concepts related to mixing and vortex formation
  • Investigate the impact of blade design on mixing efficiency in kitchen appliances
  • Study the mathematical equations governing centrifugal force and its applications in food processing
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, culinary professionals interested in food processing techniques, and engineers designing kitchen appliances will benefit from this discussion.

starpower1824
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TL;DR
Trying to put into words the working principles of a mixer grinder
Hi Folks!I have limited understanding of physics. I am trying to put into words the working principles of a mixer grinder, specifically for making a mango milkshake. So far, these are the steps I have come up with:

  1. You are craving mango shake. You have raw mango, raw milk and sugar.
  2. You slice up the mango in smaller pieces so that it's easier for the mixer to do it's job.
  3. You put that in the mixer container and pour in the milk and the sugar as required.
  4. You close the lid and attach the container to the mixer main body. You turn on the switch.
  5. The electrical energy carried by the AC current from "mains" is converted into mechnaical energy of the mixer blades by the mixer motor. The blades soon attain a stable speed depending on the speed configuration that you can set with something like a knob.
  6. The blades are pivoted, and as they rotate they cause the ingredients directly in contact with them to rotate due to friction. That rotation motion is passed on to all the ingredients which are in contact due to gravity and molecular forces.
  7. All the ingredients start rotating, and experience a centrifugal force which forces them to move to the extremes of the container since there's no opposing force. This causes a vacuum of sorts in the middle cylindrical region of the container.
  8. The vacuum results in a differential air pressure, which causes air to try to rush into the middle, resulting in a previously non-existent force in opposition to the centrifugal force. If an ingredient is not tightly bound, part of it might break off and fly into the middle.
  9. So the mango breaks into tiny pieces, small enough to mix into the milk and seem like a homogenous mixture. Same thing probably happens with sugar. If you put in another "more solid" ingredients like rolled oats, they'll break into smaller pieces but not neccessarily small enough to mix with milk and will probably settle at the bottom once the mixer is stopped.
  10. And your mango milk shake is ready!

Where am I wrong? What things have I gotten right?

Thanks!
 
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Welcome to PF. :smile:

Is this for a schoolwork assignment? If so, I can move your thread to the schoolwork forums for you. Also, what references have you been reading to try to figure this out? It seems like the blade shape makes a big differency in the liquid/solid mixing vortices and chopping action.
 
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The physics are electromagnetism , mechanics(for the motor that as you said converts electrical power to mechanical power) and fluid mechanics (for the air that surrounds the rotating milk mix and the rotating milk mix).
I believe you do a good work in describing in a qualitative way what is happening but if we are going to write down some equations we going to get lost, especial in the fluid mechanics part.
 

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