ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel SmarterEveryDay How to light multiple matches with a single bullet
Hey there! Today, we’re diving into a cool experiment where we try to light matches using a bullet. A few years back, I tried this on YouTube but couldn’t quite get it to work. Now, we’re stepping up our game with some new tools and techniques. Let’s see how it goes!
We’ve got a Ruger 10/22 rifle, and we’ve built a special mount for it. This mount lets us adjust the rifle’s aim precisely, both side-to-side and up-and-down. My friend John Henry is here to help out.
John: “Hey, everyone! Ready to see some action?”
Destin: “With John’s help, we’re going to try lighting a match with a bullet. Let’s make it happen!”
On our second night of trying, we decided to change things up. We switched to new matches and gathered every type of .22 ammunition we could find. This is more of a marathon than a sprint, so patience is key!
Destin: “Alright, let’s see if we can get this right. Ready, John?”
John: “Let’s do it!”
As we started shooting, we noticed the bullet was hitting a bit to the left. So, we adjusted the aim to the right and tried again.
Destin: “We did it! We lit a match with a bullet! What’s next, John?”
John: “Let’s try lighting more matches at once!”
We aimed to light several matches with a single bullet. After a few attempts and adjustments, we managed to light three matches at once. It was awesome!
Destin: “Wow, we got three matches! Let’s see if we can do even better.”
After hours of experimenting, we used a high-speed camera to understand what was happening. We discovered that the bullet was slightly deflected by the match heads. This deflection caused the bullet to tumble and follow a curved path, making it hard to light matches lined up in a straight line.
Despite this challenge, we successfully lit three matches with one bullet. It was an exciting and educational experience!
Destin: “Hey, we managed to light four matches! Well, three and a half, but still pretty cool!”
This experiment taught us a lot about precision, patience, and the science of motion. It’s amazing what you can learn when you combine curiosity with a bit of creativity!
Recreate a safe, scaled-down version of the experiment using everyday materials. Use a rubber band to simulate the bullet and small sticks as matches. Adjust the angle and force to see how many sticks you can knock down with one shot. Discuss what factors affect your success.
Research the physics of projectile motion. Create a poster or presentation explaining how factors like angle, speed, and gravity affect the path of a projectile. Use diagrams to illustrate your points and share your findings with the class.
Set up a series of small targets at varying distances. Use a toy launcher or similar device to hit the targets. Keep track of your attempts and discuss how precision and patience play a role in achieving your goal. Reflect on how this relates to the experiment in the article.
Watch slow-motion videos of similar experiments online. Analyze the footage to identify key moments when the projectile interacts with the target. Write a short report on what you observe and how it relates to the experiment’s success or failure.
Hold a class discussion about the science of motion. Discuss concepts like deflection, trajectory, and force. Share your thoughts on how these concepts were demonstrated in the experiment and how they apply to real-world scenarios.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
—
Hey, it’s me, Destin. About three years ago, I did a YouTube video where I tried to light a match with a bullet, but I never could do it. So, we’ve kind of upped the ante here. We’ve taken that same rifle, the Ruger 10/22, and made a fully adjustable mount for it. We can adjust it in azimuth and elevation independently, and we’ve set up our matches in a more controlled environment. My buddy John Henry is here.
John: “Cool, yeah! Yo, what’s up?”
Destin: “So, John’s going to help me. We’re going to see if we can light a match with a bullet. It’s going to happen!”
[Countdown] “Three, two, one!”
Destin: “Alright, we’re here for night two. Tonight’s different; it’s a whole new challenge. This is a marathon, not a sprint. We’ve changed from old matches to new matches. What’s that mean, John?”
John: “We’re just going to work.”
Destin: “We have also assembled every type of .22 ammo known to man. Night two, shot a million and five.”
[Countdown] “Three, two, one!”
Destin: “Looks like it shoots a little bit left.”
John: “Alright, adjust it to the right.”
[Countdown] “Three, two, one!”
Destin: “We have done it! John, what’s that?”
John: “Thanks, Flo! That’s happening right now.”
Destin: “Oh yes, we struck a match with a bullet! What are you going to do next?”
John: “Let’s try it again.”
Destin: “Of course! Let’s see if we can get them all lit at once.”
[Countdown] “Three, two, one!”
Destin: “Yes, that’s awesome!”
John: “Something else you’re good with.”
[Countdown] “Three, two, one!”
Destin: “Oh yes, nice!”
After several hours of investigating why we could light an entire row of matches with one bullet, we used a high-speed camera to determine that the bullet was being deflected slightly by the match heads. We concluded that you can’t light all the matches if they’re lined up in a straight line because the bullet tumbles and follows a nonlinear trajectory after first contact. However, we did manage to light three matches with one single bullet, as you can see here.
[Countdown] “Five, four, three, two, one!”
Destin: “Hey, we got four! Well, three and a half.”
—
This version removes any informal language or phrases that may be considered inappropriate while maintaining the essence of the original content.
Experiment – A scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact. – In our science class, we conducted an experiment to see how different surfaces affect the speed of a rolling ball.
Bullet – A small, metal projectile for firing from a gun, often used in physics to study motion and impact. – The physics teacher used a bullet in a demonstration to explain the principles of momentum and energy transfer.
Matches – Small sticks that produce a flame when struck, often used in experiments to demonstrate chemical reactions. – We used matches in the lab to ignite the magnesium strip and observe the bright light it produced.
Aim – The direction or goal of an experiment or scientific study. – The aim of our experiment was to determine how temperature affects the solubility of sugar in water.
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. – Science helps us understand the laws of nature and how different forces interact in the universe.
Deflection – The change in direction of an object due to an external force, often studied in physics. – We measured the deflection of a light beam as it passed through a glass prism to understand refraction.
Motion – The action or process of moving or being moved, a fundamental concept in physics. – The motion of the pendulum was used to demonstrate the principles of kinetic and potential energy.
Precision – The quality of being exact and accurate, important in scientific measurements and experiments. – The precision of our measurements was crucial to ensure the accuracy of our experiment’s results.
Patience – The ability to wait calmly for results, an important trait for scientists conducting experiments. – Patience was necessary as we waited for the chemical reaction to complete in our science experiment.
Camera – A device used to capture images, often utilized in experiments to record observations and results. – We used a high-speed camera to capture the motion of the bouncing ball in our physics experiment.
