**Ask a monkey a physics question thread**

[Poopadoop]

That's cool.

Back to the laces though. What actually happens, physically, that would cause a knot to come undone? I can imagine there being two things: First, physical pushing and pulling which might happen if (e.g.) the arch of the foot were pushing against the laces. Second, vibration which might happen when (e.g.) the foot hits the ground on each step.

Similarly, what are the qualities, physically, that makes a knot resistant to these forces and stay done up? Is it the friction between the laces of a tight knot that does it?

[BananaStand]

physical pushing and pulling which might happen if (e.g.) the arch of the foot were pushing against the laces.

You mean like the flexing of a foot operating a gas pedal?

vibration which might happen when (e.g.) the foot hits the ground on each step.

or maybe vibrations caused by being in contact with something attached to a running engine?

Similarly, what are the qualities, physically, that makes a knot resistant to these forces and stay done up?

Even I know that one!

Is it the friction between the laces of a tight knot that does it?

Yeah

[Poopadoop]

You mean like the flexing of a foot operating a gas pedal?

Or walking or just about anything that involves moving the foot.

Point is, if you tie a proper knot this shouldn't be enough to loosen it. Many people drive for a living. Go to a truck stop and see how many of them are walking around with their right laces undone.

[Poopadoop]

or maybe vibrations caused by being in contact with something attached to a running engine?

So you hold your left foot in the air while you drive? Cause the floorboards are probably getting the same amount of vibration as the gas pedal.

maybe your gas pedal is loose and vibrates more though. dunno.