Question

You often see magicians pulling the tablecloth off a table while there are still plates on it. Surprisingly, the plates are left undisturbed. Explain how this trick is done. 

Answer 1

$\text{According to Newton's first law, all bodies have inertia.}$

$\text{That is, the plates will tend to maintain a state of rest.}$

$\text{When quickly pulling the tablecloth off the table, the interaction time}$

$\text{ of the plates with the tablecloth is negligible}.$

$\text{Therefore, the transmitted impulse of force is of little importance}$

$\text{and does not have much effect on the arrangement of the plates.}$