person holding tissue paper roll on a stand

 

Code Number: 1F20.14

Demo Title: Inertia of Rest - Tissue Paper Roll

Condition: Good

Principle: Inertia of Mass

Area of Study: Mechanics

Equipment: 

Tissue Paper Roll, Support Stand.

Procedure:

Place the tissue paper roll on the support stand so that it rolls freely.  A gentle accelerating pull will unroll the tissue without breaking.  The roll may even continue unrolling for several seconds after you have stopped pulling.  

A quick jerk on the roll will do nothing but break the tissue without moving (unrolling) the roll.

References:

  • T.R. Sandin,  "The Jerk",  TPT, Vol. 28, # 1, p. 36, January 1990. 
  • M- 242, "Pull Toilet Roll - Jerk Cloth", DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.
  • Jearl Walker, "1.93, Tearing Toilet Paper", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 46.
1F20.14 - Inertia of Rest -  Tissue Paper Rolls