Physics - Stronger than those that study it?
Can physicists operate their own textbooks?
Starlink
Duration: 2:32
Views: 647
Related Experiments
Pulp FrictionWe demonstrate that the friction between pages of a book is very strong because there is a large contact area.
The experiment takes its inspiration from the same place as this film — an Institute of Physics publication.
It’s well worth comparing this film with this other one based on the same demonstration. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and it’s hard to choose between them since they’re trying to do different things. An excellent example of the SciCast mantra: “start with a demonstration, then make it your own.”
I like the other version for its direct simplicity and sense of excitement. I like this version for its ambition. It’s a very complete production, with multiple sequences, a coherent script that’s pulled off well, and some lovely informal moments offering a peek inside the sorts of things physicists do on a daily basis. Which, clearly, is ‘muck around being foiled by daft tricks’. Obviously.
There was a lot that could have gone wrong with this film. It didn’t, and the result is excellent.
Let us know which version you prefer in the comments.
I love the professor. His head is telling him that no, he can't pull them apart, but his ego is egging him on so that he really goes for it!
Elin, 07 May 2008
Excellent - I had to try that myself. As you pull the books apart you get a little initial friction causing the pages to flatten against each other ...and this provides more compressive pressure between the pages to create more friction force.
firrs, 14 Mar 2008
This is very illustrative of frictional concepts and superbly entertaining.
Nigel Aston, 05 Feb 2008
Excellent! :-)
Ryan Laird, 05 Feb 2008
Well done :-)
Jo Barstow, 04 Feb 2008
Wow!
That's a spectacular and fascinating demonstration, thanks!
Louis-Philippe Breton, 21 Jan 2008
This is an excellent demonstration, it's just a shame that the sound quality is a little weak. However, the demonstration is REALLY what matters, and it was clear that the "professors" and other lecturers were amused and bemused by the whole exercise. Superb effort - thank you very much and well done!
Andrew Harmsworth, 20 Jan 2008