Mystery of Prince Rupert's Drop at 130,000 fps - Smarter Every Day 86 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

High-speed cameras capture the fascinating mechanics of Prince Rupert's Drop as it withstands force and releases stored energy.

Key Insights

• 😎 Prince Rupert's Drop is created by rapidly cooling molten glass, resulting in unique mechanical properties.
• 💦 The drop's durability comes from the tension and compression forces within its structure.
• 🥺 Damage to the tail of Prince Rupert's Drop causes a chain reaction, leading to the entire object exploding.

Transcript

Hey it's me Destin. Welcome back to Smarter Every Day. Today we're gonna do awesome science with Orbix Hot Glass here at Lookout Mountain Alabama. Goggle up. Science is about to happen. We're gonna use a high speed camera and learn about Prince Rupert's Drop. [whispers] It's never been done on the internet. You're gonna learn something. Let's go. O... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is a Prince Rupert's Drop?

A Prince Rupert's Drop is a unique glass object formed by dropping molten glass into cold water, resulting in a tadpole shape with extreme durability.

Q: How does Prince Rupert's Drop react to force?

The outer layer of the drop is highly compressed, while the inner layer is under intense tension. This tension causes the drop to explode if the tail is damaged.

Q: How are the internal stresses of Prince Rupert's Drop visible?

Using a polariscope, the internal stresses can be seen as different colors, representing the tension and compression within the drop.

Q: What is the unique property of Prince Rupert's Drop?

The drop's ability to withstand force without breaking is attributed to the distribution of tension and compression within its structure.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• "Prince Rupert's Drop" is a tadpole-shaped glass object with unique mechanical properties that make it extremely durable.

• High-speed cameras capture the moment when the tail of the drop breaks and the entire object explodes.

• The internal stresses of Prince Rupert's Drop are visible using a polariscope, revealing the tension and compression within the object.