How do Scissors Work?

Basic Mechanics of Scissors

When you press the handles of the scissors together, one of the blades moves towards the other blade. This movement creates a shearing force, where the two sharp edges of the blades come into contact with the material you want to cut. The blades act as wedges, forcing the material apart as they move past each other.

Pivot Point and Leverage

By positioning the pivot point closer to the material being cut, you increase the mechanical advantage of the scissors. This allows you to apply less force while cutting through tough materials. The longer the blades of the scissors, the greater the leverage you have to cut through thicker or harder substances.

Combining Simple Machines

The blades of the scissors act as wedges, which are one of the six classical simple machines. Wedges are used to push things apart, making it easier to cut through materials. The handles of the scissors function as levers, another simple machine that helps amplify the force applied to the blades.