The phenomenon of the ruler trick

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonim2831
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics experiment involving a ruler and a piece of paper, where the ruler is placed on the edge of a table and a ball is thrown at it. The participants explore the underlying principles of the phenomenon, particularly focusing on pressure dynamics and forces involved in the setup.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the role of pressure and forces in keeping the ruler from falling, with some questioning how to calculate the height from which to throw the ball. Others suggest considering energy and momentum as relevant concepts.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with various participants offering insights into the complexities of the problem. Some have pointed out the need for more specific details or diagrams to clarify the situation, while others acknowledge the multitude of variables involved in the experiment.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of relevant equations related to pressure and forces, but participants express uncertainty about how to apply them effectively. The original poster indicates a lack of patterns and specifics, suggesting that the problem may be ill-defined.

Anonim2831
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Homework Statement
hey, I'm wondering about the phenomenon of the experiment with a ruler and a piece of paper. Description of the experiment: we place a ruler on the edge of the table (one end of the ruler protrudes beyond the table) and then we place a piece of paper on it. When we throw the ball at the protruding end of the ruler, the ruler will not fall (it will be held by the paper). If we know the length of the ruler (protruding and not protruding), the mass of the ball and the surface of the paper, how can we calculate from what height the ball should be thrown in order for the ruler to fall or break?
Relevant Equations
The equations that will be needed here are certainly pressure, forces, and possibly energy, but I don't know where to start
WI know that the phenomenon occurs due to the decrease in pressure under the sheet of paper.There is therefore greater pressure above the sheet of paper, pressing down on the sheet of paper, which prevents the ruler from tearing off. However, I lack patterns and specifics
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I'd assume that the force holding paper from moving up is momentarily about 1 atm times the area of the sheet of paper.
 
M I think it may be so, but I don't know how it will help me calculate the height from which I need to throw the ball
 
Anonim2831 said:
... possibly energy...
Possibly momentum?
 
Anonim2831 said:
Homework Statement: hey, I'm wondering about the phenomenon of the experiment with a ruler and a piece of paper. Description of the experiment: we place a ruler on the edge of the table (one end of the ruler protrudes beyond the table) and then we place a piece of paper on it. When we throw the ball at the protruding end of the ruler, the ruler will not fall (it will be held by the paper). If we know the length of the ruler (protruding and not protruding), the mass of the ball and the surface of the paper, how can we calculate from what height the ball should be thrown in order for the ruler to fall or break?
Relevant Equations: The equations that will be needed here are certainly pressure, forces, and possibly energy, but I don't know where to start

WI know that the phenomenon occurs due to the decrease in pressure under the sheet of paper.There is therefore greater pressure above the sheet of paper, pressing down on the sheet of paper, which prevents the ruler from tearing off. However, I lack patterns and specifics
It seems to me the problem is very ill defined. How about a drawing or details about the system or better yet, the actual problem as described in your book.
 
https://www.eecis.udel.edu/~vijay/BLAST/air_pressure/newspaper_ruler.html

newspaper_1.jpg
newspaper_2.jpg
newspaper_3.jpg
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: bob012345
I think it is worth observing that there appear to be a _very large_ number of variables at work in this demonstration. Consequently you would have to travel down many rabbit holes to begin, even assuming a somewhat loosey-goosey level of precision. One or even several equations will unlikely be sufficient.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: jbriggs444 and Lnewqban
First consider what the paper is doing. Without the paper, air can easily flow under the ruler, maintaining atmospheric pressure on both sides. The paper inhibits this, but does not stop it completely. This makes an accurate analysis very difficult, so suppose the air is entirely prevented from coming under some area and see how big an area is needed.

The ruler will lift off the table through some small angle ##\theta##. Given air pressure acting uniformly over a rectangular area covering the ruler of given length and width, how much energy is needed?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
16
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K