ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel SmarterEveryDay What does a Gong Sound Like when Hit with a 1189mph Baseball? – Smarter Every Day 267
Welcome to an exciting experiment with Smarter Every Day! Today, we’re diving into the world of supersonic speeds by using a giant air cannon to launch a baseball faster than the speed of sound. This project combines a love for baseball with the science of aerodynamics and the skills of a developmental weapons tester. It’s a rare chance to learn about motion at incredibly high speeds.
Creating this air cannon was no easy task. It took a lot of effort and support from fans of Smarter Every Day to make it happen. The main goal is to understand how to control the speed and timing of the baseball as it shoots out of the cannon. This precision is crucial for conducting various experiments.
In today’s experiment, we’re looking at how the air pressure inside the cannon affects the speed of the baseball. By filling the cannon with a specific amount of air pressure and then firing it, we can measure how fast the baseball travels using high-speed cameras. We’ll also study how the baseball slows down to learn about air resistance, or drag, at different speeds.
This setup is the biggest one ever attempted on Smarter Every Day. A team is helping to operate the high-speed cameras and document everything. In a previous experiment, we tested the cannon with fun objects like sprinkles and mayonnaise. Today, we’re adding silly putty to the mix. Silly putty is a non-Newtonian fluid, meaning it behaves differently under various forces. We want to see how it reacts when hit by a high-speed baseball.
As we prepare for the test, there’s a countdown before launching the cannon. The results are fascinating! We observe how the baseball interacts with the silly putty and see interesting fracture patterns. This leads to discussions about how non-Newtonian fluids behave under different conditions.
Next, we conduct more tests with sprinkles to see the effects of impact and exit. Cameras are set up to capture the action from multiple angles. The data collected is insightful, and we’re excited to analyze it further. We also plan to test with a gong, as suggested by our supporters. Safety is a top priority, so we’ve taken all necessary precautions.
As we get ready for the gong test, we increase the pressure in the cannon and observe the results. The outcome is impressive, with remarkable footage of the baseball’s trajectory and impact. This data will help us understand more about supersonic motion.
Thank you for joining us on this scientific journey! We look forward to conducting more experiments and sharing our findings. If you enjoyed this, consider subscribing to Smarter Every Day for more exciting content.
This episode is sponsored by KiwiCo, a subscription service offering hands-on STEM projects for kids. These kits encourage exploration and learning in various scientific fields. Thanks for your support, and see you next time!
Design and build a simple air cannon using household materials. Experiment with different levels of air pressure to launch a small object, like a ping pong ball. Record your observations on how the pressure affects the speed and distance of the object. Discuss your findings with your classmates.
Investigate the properties of non-Newtonian fluids by making your own silly putty or oobleck. Test how these substances react under different forces by applying pressure or hitting them with a small object. Document your observations and share them with the class.
Watch high-speed videos of objects in motion, such as a baseball hitting a gong. Analyze the footage to identify patterns in motion and impact. Discuss how high-speed cameras help us understand fast-moving phenomena and the science behind them.
Conduct an experiment to explore air resistance by dropping different objects from a height and timing their fall. Compare how quickly they reach the ground and discuss how shape and size affect air resistance. Present your results to the class.
Work in groups to design a hypothetical experiment involving supersonic speeds. Consider the materials, safety precautions, and scientific principles involved. Present your experiment plan to the class, explaining the expected outcomes and potential challenges.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any informal language, unnecessary details, and maintaining a professional tone:
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[Music]
Hello, everyone! Welcome back to Smarter Every Day. We are currently in the midst of a significant experiment. We have constructed a large air cannon capable of launching a baseball at supersonic speeds. This project combines my passion for baseball, my studies in aerodynamics, and my experience as a developmental weapons tester. The cannon allows for hands-on learning about motion at supersonic velocities, which is quite rare.
The design and construction of this cannon were quite challenging, and I am grateful to the patrons of Smarter Every Day for their support. At this stage, I am focused on characterizing the cannon’s performance, specifically how to control the velocity and timing of the baseball accurately. This precision will enable a variety of experiments.
Today, we will explore the relationship between the amount of air pressure in the cannon and the speed of the baseball upon release. We will fill the cannon to a specific air pressure, trigger it, and use high-speed cameras to measure the exit velocity of the baseball. We will also analyze how the baseball decelerates to calculate drag at different speeds.
This setup is the largest I have ever attempted for Smarter Every Day. I have assistance from my team to operate the high-speed cameras and document the process. For our scientific purposes, we only need to observe the initial 30 feet of the baseball’s flight.
In a previous video, we tested the cannon with various objects, including a container of sprinkles and a jar of mayonnaise. Today, we will also test it with silly putty, which behaves as a non-Newtonian fluid. The goal is to see how it reacts when struck by a baseball at high speed.
We are preparing for the test, and I will provide a countdown before we launch the cannon.
[Countdown and Launch]
The results were fascinating. We observed how the baseball interacted with the silly putty, and we noted the fracture patterns that emerged. This led to discussions about the material properties of non-Newtonian fluids and how they behave under different forces.
Next, we will conduct further tests with sprinkles to observe the effects on impact and exit. We will set up our cameras to capture the action from multiple angles.
[Further Tests and Observations]
The data collected today has been insightful, and we are excited to analyze it further. We also plan to conduct additional tests with a gong, as suggested by our patrons. Safety is a priority, so we have taken precautions to ensure a secure testing environment.
As we prepare for the gong test, we will increase the pressure in the cannon and observe the results.
[Countdown and Launch]
The outcome was impressive, and we captured some remarkable footage of the baseball’s trajectory and impact. The data we gathered today will contribute to our ongoing research and understanding of supersonic motion.
Thank you for joining us on this journey. We look forward to conducting more experiments and sharing our findings. Please consider subscribing to Smarter Every Day for more exciting content.
This episode is sponsored by KiwiCo, a subscription service that provides hands-on STEM projects for children. These kits encourage exploration and learning in various scientific fields.
Thank you for your support, and we hope to see you next time!
[End of Transcript]
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This version maintains the essence of the original content while ensuring a more formal and concise presentation.
Baseball – A sport involving a ball and bat where players aim to hit the ball and run bases to score points. – In physics, the trajectory of a baseball can be analyzed to understand how forces like gravity and air resistance affect its motion.
Speed – The rate at which an object covers distance over time. – The speed of light is a fundamental constant in physics, representing how fast light travels in a vacuum.
Air – The invisible mixture of gases that surrounds Earth, essential for breathing and various physical phenomena. – When studying aerodynamics, scientists examine how air flows over objects to reduce drag and improve efficiency.
Pressure – The force exerted per unit area on the surface of an object. – Atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude, which is why mountain climbers often carry oxygen tanks.
Motion – The change in position of an object over time. – Newton’s laws of motion describe how forces affect the movement of objects.
Experiments – Scientific procedures undertaken to test hypotheses and observe phenomena. – In physics class, students conduct experiments to understand the principles of electricity and magnetism.
Resistance – A measure of how much a material opposes the flow of electric current. – In a circuit, resistance can be calculated using Ohm’s law, which relates voltage, current, and resistance.
Fluids – Substances that flow and take the shape of their container, including liquids and gases. – The study of fluids is important in understanding how airplanes achieve lift and how submarines navigate underwater.
Impact – The action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another. – Scientists study the impact of meteorites on Earth to learn about the history of our planet and the solar system.
Trajectory – The path followed by an object moving through space under the influence of forces. – The trajectory of a rocket must be carefully calculated to ensure it reaches its intended orbit around Earth.
