Discovering the Science Behind Sucking Up Spaghetti | Ray Vickson

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the physics of sucking up spaghetti, specifically the forces involved in creating an imbalance of air pressure. Ray Vickson explores how air pressure affects the movement of spaghetti strands, noting that the forces acting on the spaghetti are primarily perpendicular to its axis. The conversation references a related thread with 146 posts that delves deeper into the mechanics of vacuum and pressure in this context, providing a comprehensive exploration of the topic.

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Ray Vickson
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I am a fairly long-term homework helper, but this is my first post to the Forum.

I have often wondered: where do the forces arise that allow me to (rather impolitely) suck up individual strands of spaghetti? I deliberately create an imbalance in air pressure between the inside and the outside of my mouth, but the air pressure acting on the spaghetti produces forces that act perpendicular to the spaghetti's axis (not towards my mouth), with only the force on the very small hanging end acting along the axis, to push the strand up. So, how does the spagehetti get sucked up?

Ray Vickson
 
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