What is the tallest straw that you could, in principle, drink from

  • Thread starter Thread starter ruffkilla
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Principle
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the maximum height from which water can be sipped through a straw, determined to be approximately 10 meters based on atmospheric pressure and gravity. The principle involves creating a vacuum by sucking, which allows atmospheric pressure to push the water up the straw. The calculations confirm that the pressure at the top of the straw is zero, while atmospheric pressure supports the water column. The formula used illustrates the relationship between pressure, gravity, and height, leading to the conclusion that the height of 10 meters is theoretically achievable. Overall, the consensus highlights the critical role of atmospheric pressure in this phenomenon.
ruffkilla
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
As a stunt, you want to sip some water through a very long, vertical straw. what is the tallest straw that you could, in principle, drink from in this way?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Well, what do you think?
 
well i know the answer is 10 m if you round gravity to 10 m/s^2. i also know that the pressure on the top of the straw is 0 Pa. but besides that i have no clue, that's why I am asking it.
 
When you sip through a straw, what pushes the water up the straw?
 
the vacuum created by sucking your cheeks in.
i came up with this solution.
P1 + rough (g) (h1) = P2 + rough (g) (h2)
P1=0, h1=0
so P2 = rough (g)(h2)
1 atm= 1000(10)(h2)
1.01 EE5=1.0EE4(h2)
h2= 10 m

but I am not sure.
 
Looks like you've got it. It's atmospheric pressure that pushes the water up the straw. The maximum height of water that can be supported by the air will be found by setting the water pressure (\rho g h) equal to atmospheric pressure.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'

Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'

In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

What is the Optimum Height for Drinking a Milkshake with a Vertical Straw?
Replies
2
Views
2K
Spiking drinks -- how about straws to detect when a drink is spiked?
Replies
7
Views
2K
A Siphon at the Bar: Jane's DIY Drink Mixing Trick
Replies
11
Views
9K
What is the maximum mass of a bug to not tip the straw?
Replies
3
Views
3K
What is the solution to the straw paradox?
Replies
9
Views
3K
I What Keeps Water in a Straw When It's Removed from a Glass?
Replies
12
Views
5K
Problem Set Involving Inertia and Balloons
Replies
2
Views
2K
What is the longest straw you could possibly drink from?
Replies
5
Views
29K
How Fast Must Air Travel to Draw Water Up a Straw?
Replies
22
Views
8K
Pressure experiment with a burning straw protruding from a hole in a bottle
Replies
8
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top