Jelly Jar Science

[Shavano]

Ok, here's the thing. I grabbed a jar of grape jelly to make a sandwich just now and twisted hard, but it didn't budge. Let go of the top, grabbed it again, and it turned easily.

There must be some Big Science explanation for this?

Pixies?

 

[whoisit]

If it was a jar that was previously opened, debris in the threads can cause issues. Otherwise there is always the Marvel way.

 

[yd]

The Big Science side of me thinks...you might not want to eat the contents

 

[Wheels Of Confusion]

Ok, here's the thing. I grabbed a jar of grape jelly to make a sandwich just now and twisted hard, but it didn't budge. Let go of the top, grabbed it again, and it turned easily.

There must be some Big Science explanation for this?

Pixies?

Took a second for your hand to warm the metal up and expand it to the point that it let go of the rim?

 

[Shavano]

I've experienced this before, but never as dramatic a difference as this. This was on a mostly empty jar, and there was some jelly on the threads. Maybe that's got something to do with it. But I've had it happen with new jars too.

 

[HydraShok]

Have you ever thought that maybe it was the world turning around the jar?

 

[Shavano]

Have you ever thought that maybe it was the world turning around the jar?

I've tried that, too.

Maybe that's why it's sometimes easier to open if I turn the jar upside down.

I assume Australians don't have that trouble.

 

[ajk48n]

I assume Australians don't have that trouble

They have the same issue but with jam jars instead of jelly

 

[Shavano]

They have the same issue but with jam jars instead of jelly

With jam jars, it's right in the name.

 

[waqar]

Do not try and open the jar, only realise the truth. There is no jar. Then you will see that is that not the jar that opens. But yourself.

 

[Defenestrar]

True jelly comes from within. Possibly from eating too much jelly.

 

[Defenestrar]

I wonder if there's a non-Newtonian component of dried jelly under pressure (i.e. gummed up in the threads) which needs some relaxation time after the initial torque before the elasticity returns from a rigid state.

PS - I suspect this question is in ig Nobel territory.

 

[timezon3]

I have occasionally experienced a phenomenon where gripping the lid too hard makes it impossible to remove. I guess it deforms and then gets stuck on the jar. But gripping with a somewhat lighter touch will allow removal. Anyways, I'm sure there was some difference in how you gripped the thing that made it open the second time. Also, sometimes it works to tighten first, that breaks the lid loose, and then you can remove it. Shit is weird.

 

[waqar]

wrong thread

 

[Shavano]

Do not try and open the jar, only realise the truth. There is no jar. Then you will see that is that not the jar that opens. But yourself.

My counselor told me the same thing. Which is why he's now in the jar.

 

[Shavano]

I wonder if there's a non-Newtonian component of dried jelly under pressure (i.e. gummed up in the threads) which needs some relaxation time after the initial torque before the elasticity returns from a rigid state.

PS - I suspect this question is in ig Nobel territory.

Narrator: They thought it would only earn an Ig Nobel, then Ars University scientists showed how it could reduce the energy needed to achieve refrigerator fusion.