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Why is it easier to open a pickle jar after running it under hot water?


konneroakes

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Opening a tightly sealed pickle-jar can be tricky. There is a logical Physics explanation why running it under hot water can make it easier to open. If we assume it is your average glass pickle-jar with a metal top than heating up the jar will loosen the lid because the metal conducts more heat than the glass. This means the metal will expand before the glass gets the chance to expand the same distance, so as the metal expands the Force required to open the jar decreases. This may seem confusing because the coefficient of glass and metal doesn't change from simply heating it up; but the force of friction is equal to the coefficient of friction x the normal force between the objects. As the lid loosens the normal force the glass produces to push back on the lid is decreased so the Frictional force is lowered. Running the lid under hot water may make your hands slip easier as well because the wet metal on your hand might have a different coefficient of friction, so drying the lid and your hands is recommended.

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