What is the equivalent in kg of the force exerted on a plate

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the conversion of force exerted on a plate into kilograms, clarifying that kilograms measure mass, while force is measured in Newtons. It is established that approximately 9.8 Newtons is required to hold a mass of one kilogram against gravity. A participant tested the weight of a plate at 0.46 kg and added food items, resulting in a total force of about 25 Newtons when pushing down with utensils. The conversation also touches on the complexities of gravitational and electromagnetic forces affecting the plate and food.

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Hello everyone, my question might seem stupid but I'm still wondering : what is the equivalent in kg of the force exerted on a plate when eating? (can't test this with a scale because I am not at home).
Thank you for your kind answers
 
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There's no answer to this question as asked, because the kilogram is a measure of mass not force. But we could substitute "Newtons" for kilograms to get the question you're probably trying to ask (it takes a force of about 9.8 Newtons to hold a mass of one kilogram in place against gravity at the Earth's surface).

It will be the force from the weight of the food on the plate, plus whatever force you exert by pushing on the plate with your eating utensils. You know your own eating habits better than we do, so even though you're away from home you're still more able to come up with reasonable estimates of these quantities than we are.
 
Last edited:
you're right ty pretty stupid question, no need more answers, can be closed thank you.
 
I am at home so I tried it out, even if it is stupid.
The plate came in at 0.46kg, you can calculate the force on the table (or scales)
I tested the question with an apple and banana which added 0.30kg
I then sacrificed the banana in the name of physics and cut it in half. I was surprised that the scales went up to 2.5 kg so the force was about 25 Newtons.
I will have the banana (slightly brown) for lunch tomorrow.
 
I think one can easily push down the knife with 5-10 "kg" (50-100 N), when its necessary.
 
Digging a bit deeper there is no
Nugatory said:
force from the weight of the food on the plate
. Spacetime is curved: the plate and the food are just trying to follow the curvature. Electromagnetic forces are preventing them.
 
George Keeling said:
Digging a bit deeper there is no . Spacetime is curved: the plate and the food are just trying to follow the curvature. Electromagnetic forces are preventing them.
A strange mix of over complicated explanation and anthropomorphology here. The words "Gravitational Attraction" are quite adequate for this discussion and nothing "tries" to do anything in our models of Science.
 

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