"Science: Why Shoelace Knot Failure" by Nsikan Akpan To break down the physics of the phenomena, the researchers attached a small device to the free end of the laces that measured acceleration, and then Gregg went for a walk or a jog. This acceleration creates inertia, which is the tendency for an object to keep moving once it is in motion. “We were surprised that the accelerations were so high. They’re like 7 g [units of acceleration] ,” O’Reilly said. “By way of comparison, the highest g on a roller coaster are 6.3. Your foot is experiencing these really high g-forces as you’re running all the time. It’s a biomechanical miracle that all of that impact is absorbed through your body and spine.” The knot itself is under pressure too. The videos showed as the shoelaces bounce up and down with each footfall, the main knot begins to deform. Once the knot opens sufficiently, then the free end of the lace, which is being tugged by inertia, begins to slip out. The team built a robotic pendulum to examine the math on a deeper level. They found the knot’s failure intensifies overtime. As the length of the loose end increases, so too does its weight relative to the other strand. This trend adds to the inertial forces, until total shoelace failure. Moreover, the bows of your shoelace are not exempt for this flaw. 1 of 2 Question Use the passage to answer the question. Analyze the interactions that develop over the course of the passage. In 3-5 sentences, explain the relationships between the physics of running and its impact on shoelace knots. Use transition words to sequence and connections. (4 points)

1 answer

The passage illustrates the intricate relationship between the physics of running and the failure of shoelace knots. First, the high accelerations experienced during activities like jogging—measured at about 7 g—create significant inertial forces that impact the knot. As the foot strikes the ground and the laces bounce, the knot undergoes deformation, which further compromises its integrity. Consequently, as the loose end of the lace increases in length, its weight contributes to the stress on the knot, leading to eventual failure. Thus, the biomechanics of running not only affect the feet but also highlight how physical forces can undermine the functionality of a shoelace knot.