I\'m a software developer, and I need to calculate the estimated amount of force
ID: 2288440 • Letter: I
Question
I'm a software developer, and I need to calculate the estimated amount of force expended typing stored text. Preferrably in some interesting way. (i.e. the force exerted on keys thus far is enough to push a car 5 miles) (or: equivalent to 100 kg of TNT)
Assumptions:
We're not going to worry about deletes or moving the cursor or anything, I'm just counting characters of stored text.
I don't really care if the space requires more force or not, this is more of a "fun fact" than anything.
From what I've found online, the mean force required for a keystroke is about 12.9N (source).
Hundreds of millions of characters have been typed.
Questions
What is a good way to make this something people can relate to?
How can I calculate it?
Thank you all in advance for your valuable time and input.
EDIT: I thought my original post would make this pretty clear: I realize I only have the force required to push each keystroke. I'm looking for a way to demonstrate that force applied to something to help people quantify it, hypothetical energy in terms people can understand.
Explanation / Answer
comment's experimental approach done. Answer between about 1 and 2 ounces = 1/4 to 1/2 Newtons (http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=convert+2+ounces+to+newtons). Key travel 3mm, say, = 1.5 milliJoules =
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