Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I want to know what the physics are behind cracking or splitting a fresh whole apple with your bare hands?, please help, this is my first science fair project and I saw my brother do this and he taught me, but I do not know how it works, so I am unable to look up information for my project. thank you for any help that may be sent my way, Eythan

Hi Eythan,

Here is a description of how to split an apple with your bare hands:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/910033/su ... are_hands/

The description suggests you are using your hands like a wedge to pull apart the apple. Here is a simple description of a wedge, one of the basic simple machines:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/dirtrep/simple/wedge.htm

http://www.42explore.com/smplmac.htm


Lastly here is a paper talking about using wedges on apples:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/xm26217400761470/


This is a neat trick. I hope this helps you understand how it works!

Best Regards,

Barrett Tomlinson

Kryssie's questions about her science fair project about circuits are now in their own thread in this forum called "Science Project Question - What is a Circuit?" Here is a link: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... =31&t=3693

Thank you barretttomlinson for your information, I did not win 1st place, but I did get a ribbon and I had several Teachers and one Judge come to me to ask how I cracked my apples for my science project. It was pretty neat to have adults come and ask me for help and information. Thank you again for your help, I could not have done it without you.

Eythan

Congrats! It sounds like you had some great success.