Rug Physics

The Physics Of A Bump In A Rug

The way a bump in a rug travels across a floor has been compared with the way tectonic plates move, cell membranes slide and inchworms crawl. Friction makes it difficult to drag a big piece of carpet, but when there’s a wrinkle in the material, the wrinkle can easily roll down the length of the carpet, moving the carpet along in the process.