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Topic: Force needed to open a refrigerator  (Read 20720 times)

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Offline fledarmus

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Re: Force needed to open a refrigerator
« Reply #15 on: March 02, 2012, 11:52:06 AM »
Sorry Billnotgatez, for some reason all that showed for me this morning was the first post. I thought somebody else was starting a new thread! Completely disregard my response.

Offline billnotgatez

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Re: Force needed to open a refrigerator
« Reply #16 on: March 02, 2012, 01:12:43 PM »
@fledarmus

<I smack my forehead>
I understand you might have missed what I posted
But did I get the right answer
<I smack my forehead again>

 :)  ;)  ;D

Offline Wastrel

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Re: Force needed to open a refrigerator
« Reply #17 on: March 03, 2012, 08:20:05 AM »
I just did a back of envelope calculation.  I looked up atmospheric pressure in kilograms per square meter (10332) and multiplied by 20/293 (as T and P are proportional).  705 Kg tallies with billnotgatez and I'm happy with this as the force against the door.

The force holding the door shut is not the same as the force needed to open it.  Doors have hinges.  Making the not unrealistic assumption that the handle is on the opposite edge to the hinge then the force needed is half the force keeping the door shut.  My answer is then 353Kg.  Astonishing for what seems to be mild and reasonable conditions.

Offline billnotgatez

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Re: Force needed to open a refrigerator
« Reply #18 on: March 03, 2012, 12:19:34 PM »
353 kg or
778 lb and 3.70 oz
seems a bit much to open a refrigerator door

but when I divide by 10 (~gravity acceleration 9.80665)
I get 691.3 kg which halved is 345.65 kg
or
762 lb and 0.44 oz

I would have never thought I was that much of a muscle man.

 ;D
 

Offline Borek

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Re: Force needed to open a refrigerator
« Reply #19 on: March 03, 2012, 01:28:19 PM »
Fridge door is never really air tight, so in reality the pressure inside is equal to that on the outside.
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