Potential energy of a shoelace

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the potential energy stored in a tied shoelace, emphasizing the importance of factors such as the tightness of the knot and the modulus of elasticity of the substrate. Participants suggest using a force gauge to measure the work required to untie the knot, while also noting that the work done is primarily against friction rather than a conservative force field. The conversation highlights the complexities involved in quantifying energy in real-life knots, referencing concepts like the "Gordian knot" to illustrate the challenges of untangling versus tying.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of potential energy concepts
  • Familiarity with modulus of elasticity
  • Experience with force gauge measurement techniques
  • Knowledge of friction and its effects on energy transfer
NEXT STEPS
  • Research methods for measuring potential energy in elastic materials
  • Explore the principles of friction in mechanical systems
  • Study the properties of different knot types and their energy characteristics
  • Investigate the effects of substrate materials on knot performance
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, materials scientists, and engineers interested in the mechanics of knots and energy storage in elastic materials.

Rothiemurchus
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How much potential energy is stored in a tied shoelace?
 
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What's it made of? How tightly is it tied? What sort of substrate is it tied into, specifically with regard to modulus of elasticity in the area of the eglets? Getting the idea?
 
You can work this one out by measuring the work done it takes to undo the knot.

Anyone any ideas for doing this experiment? I suppose you could do it with a force-gauge.
 
christianjb said:
You can work this one out by measuring the work done it takes to undo the knot.
No. the two works are unrelated.
 
lpfr said:
No. the two works are unrelated.

How so?

I guess that it's nowhere near a conservative force field, so most of the work is done against friction, which ends up heating the shoe-lace.
 
christianjb said:
How so?

I guess that it's nowhere near a conservative force field, so most of the work is done against friction, which ends up heating the shoe-lace.

You have answered yourself.

Have you ever heard about a "gordian knot"? Some real life knots are almost gordian. They ask for very much work to untie than to tie.
 
are you including energy stored as mass?
 
I don't know whe you are asking. Anyway, not me!
 

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