Sticky Books
The frictional forces between the pages of two interwoven books
Back of an Envelope Productions
Duration: 2:28
Views: 94
Related Experiments
Pulp FrictionFound on page 8 of the June 2007 issue of Interactions, the Institute of Physics member newspaper.
I recommend using two similarly-sized books with a similar number of pages, and it’s probably best to do it on a table and not in mid air like I did in the film.
— Benjamin.
‘Keep it simple’ is fast becoming something of a catchphrase for effective SciCast films. Not that I wouldn’t love to see hugely-elaborate films with casts of hundreds, it’s just that those are harder to pull off and we’d rather you were experimenting with the science and occasionally pointing a camera at it.
So this is ridiculously simple. Filmed on a digital stills camera in one shot, that you can’t even see the speaker for most of the film is quirky rather than annoying. It helps that it’s a terrific experiment, of course - try it for yourself.
What really makes this work, however, is the attention to detail. We can hear what’s being said, it’s not too long, and the film-maker’s excitement comes across well.
Oh, and we’re loving the use of an Inland Revenue envelope for the opening caption. Nice touch.
— Jonathan.
Brilliant! So simple, yet such a clear demonstration. The best kind of science. What a cool way to trick your friends.
maymee, 26 Apr 2009
Well done furry, another humorous production! Bringing science to the wider audience!
Edgeworth, 21 Apr 2008
Haha, great stuff. As a physicist, sorry... ASTROphysicist myself I was genuinely surprised as well as entertained by that. Well done to you all for making 2 minutes odd of interlocking the pages of two books interesting :)
Piers Horner, 18 Apr 2008
Awesome! Where would we be without friction...
Michelle, 31 Mar 2008
It was terrible anyone can do that without being taught.
anisha parmer, 16 Feb 2008
Its really clever how the two books stick together and can only be seperated by shaking the books.
Jemima Cook, 21 Jan 2008
it was really clever!!! i really liked it!!
daisy hampton, 21 Jan 2008