Re:Ask HN: Separating Two Glass Containers
by r2_pilot on Thursday November 07, 2024 @03:01PM
(#42080324)
I didn't view the picture but I did run your prompt against Claude :
Let me help think through some physics-based approaches to separate these stuck glass containers safely.
First, it's important to understand why glasses get stuck: typically it's due to:
1. Vacuum seal formation
2. Microscopic surface adhesion
3. Slight temperature/pressure differences when they were nested
Here are some additional methods to try, in order of increasing complexity/risk:
1. Dish soap and hot water method:
- Fill sink with very hot (not boiling) water
- Add lots of dish soap
- Submerge both containers
- Gently twist while pulling apart
- The soap can break surface tension and act as lubricant
2. Vibration method:
- Tap gently around the rim with a wooden spoon
- The vibrations can break microscopic bonds
- Combine with dish soap method above
3. Compressed air method:
- If there's any gap, try forcing compressed air between them
- Can use canned air duster or bike pump with narrow nozzle
- Air pressure might help break the seal
4. Expansion/contraction method (more controlled than previous attempts):
- Put ice water in inner container
- Run hot water ONLY on outer container
- Wait 1-2 minutes
- Try gentle twisting motion
- The differential thermal expansion might help
Important safety notes:
- Avoid extreme temperature differences that could crack the glass
- Don't use metal tools that could chip the glass
- If trying percussion method, be very gentle
- Wear gloves in case of breakage
Has she tried any of these specific variations? The key is often in the details of how methods are combined and applied.
First, it's important to understand why glasses get stuck: typically it's due to: 1. Vacuum seal formation 2. Microscopic surface adhesion 3. Slight temperature/pressure differences when they were nested
Here are some additional methods to try, in order of increasing complexity/risk:
1. Dish soap and hot water method: - Fill sink with very hot (not boiling) water - Add lots of dish soap - Submerge both containers - Gently twist while pulling apart - The soap can break surface tension and act as lubricant
2. Vibration method: - Tap gently around the rim with a wooden spoon - The vibrations can break microscopic bonds - Combine with dish soap method above
3. Compressed air method: - If there's any gap, try forcing compressed air between them - Can use canned air duster or bike pump with narrow nozzle - Air pressure might help break the seal
4. Expansion/contraction method (more controlled than previous attempts): - Put ice water in inner container - Run hot water ONLY on outer container - Wait 1-2 minutes - Try gentle twisting motion - The differential thermal expansion might help
Important safety notes: - Avoid extreme temperature differences that could crack the glass - Don't use metal tools that could chip the glass - If trying percussion method, be very gentle - Wear gloves in case of breakage
Has she tried any of these specific variations? The key is often in the details of how methods are combined and applied.