Chopstick Physics
Classical Mechanics
Level
2
Suppose Takeshi's hands hold the chopsticks correctly as shown above, where the fingers face at the shortest tips. He wants to grip the sushi by two shortest tips of the chopsticks.
Given a certain minimum force on the sushi piece exerted by the tips of the chopsticks (required to even pick the piece up), where may the hand be positioned for maximum bending moment along the length of the chopsticks?
Details and Assumptions:
- Neglect chopstick slippage.
- Assume that Takeshi is a chopstick master.
Image Credit: Mental Floss
by
Michael Huang