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

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of how to express the force exerted on a plate while eating in terms of kilograms. Participants explore the relationship between mass and force, particularly in the context of everyday eating habits and the physics involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the validity of the original question, noting that kilograms measure mass, not force, and suggests using Newtons instead.
  • Another participant shares their experimental findings, reporting a total force of about 25 Newtons when weighing a plate with food.
  • Some participants propose that significant force can be exerted with utensils, estimating around 5-10 kg (50-100 N) when pushing down with a knife.
  • One participant introduces a conceptual perspective, arguing that the weight of the food does not exert force in the traditional sense due to the curvature of spacetime and electromagnetic forces at play.
  • Another participant critiques the previous explanation, asserting that gravitational attraction is a more straightforward concept for the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of force and mass, with some agreeing on the need to clarify the units used, while others debate the underlying physics concepts, particularly regarding gravitational forces and spacetime curvature. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views presented.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the assumptions made regarding the relationship between mass and force, as well as the definitions of the terms used. The discussion also reflects varying interpretations of physical principles without reaching a consensus.

LPGXXX
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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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