ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel SmarterEveryDay World’s Longest Home Run (The “Mad Batter” Machine) – Smarter Every Day 230
Have you ever wondered how far a baseball can be hit? Today, we’re diving into an exciting experiment to break the record for the longest home run ever! The current record is between 575 and 580 feet, but we’re aiming to hit a baseball even farther using a special machine.
In professional baseball, players swing their bats at speeds around 90 miles per hour. This creates a high exit velocity, which is how fast the ball leaves the bat. To beat the record, my friend Jeremy Fielding and I have built a machine that can swing a bat much faster than any human can. This machine uses a powerful motor and a pulley system to increase the bat’s speed.
We’re setting up at a little league baseball field, a place where I used to play as a kid. Our goal is to hit a baseball over 600 feet! To do this, we need to make sure the bat hits the ball at the perfect angle. This angle is important because it affects how far the ball will travel.
Jeremy and I ran into a problem with our machine. We weren’t getting enough power from our generator. Jeremy explained that we needed three-phase power instead of single-phase power to get the most torque, or turning force, from the motor. After fixing this, we were ready to try our first swing.
On our first attempt, the bat broke! This wasn’t surprising because of the high stress on the bat. So, we switched to using aluminum bats, which are stronger and less likely to break. While Jeremy made adjustments, I worked on making sure everything was safe for our experiment.
With everything set, we powered up the machine to 100%. The bat swung and sent the ball flying over the fence, reaching a distance of 581 feet! This was already farther than the legendary Babe Ruth’s record.
But we weren’t done yet. We wanted to see how fast we could hit the ball. After several tries, we recorded an exit velocity of 190 miles per hour, much faster than what major league players usually achieve.
Finally, we decided to go all out. With a powerful swing, the ball soared through the air. We used drones and GPS to measure the distance, and it reached an incredible 696 feet! This might just be the longest home run in history.
This experiment was not only fun but also taught us a lot about the physics of baseball and the engineering behind our machine. It was a unique way to explore how science and sports can come together to achieve amazing things. Thanks for joining us on this adventure, and don’t forget to check out more exciting experiments on “Smarter Every Day”!
Gather materials like rubber bands, popsicle sticks, and a small ball to create a simple batting machine. Experiment with different angles and force to see how far you can hit the ball. This will help you understand the mechanics behind the “Mad Batter” machine.
Use a protractor and a ruler to explore different angles for hitting a ball. Try hitting a ball at various angles and measure the distance it travels. Record your results and determine which angle gives the best distance, just like in the experiment.
Research what exit velocity means and why it’s important in baseball. Use a stopwatch and a measuring tape to calculate the speed of a ball after it is hit. Compare your findings with the speeds mentioned in the article.
Think about the safety measures needed for an experiment like the one described. Create a safety checklist that includes protective gear and safe distances for observers. Discuss why safety is crucial in experiments involving high speeds and forces.
Research the physics concepts involved in hitting a baseball, such as force, torque, and energy transfer. Create a poster or presentation to explain these concepts to your classmates, using examples from the article.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, removing any informal language, laughter, and extraneous details while maintaining the core content:
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**[Destin]** Today on “Smarter Every Day,” we’re going to attempt to beat the major league baseball home run distance record, which is around 575 to 580 feet. Major league players swing the bat at about 90 miles per hour, resulting in a high exit velocity. My colleague Jeremy Fielding has been working on an apparatus that includes a three-phase generator connected to a large motor and a pulley system to achieve the necessary gear reduction for high bat speeds.
We’re at a little league baseball field where I played as a child, and our goal is to hit some home runs over 600 feet. First, we need to set everything up and ensure we have the right angle for the bat to maximize our chances of success.
The ongoing discussion about launch angles is important, as it relates to the angle of attack needed to hit the ball effectively. However, for our purposes, we’re focused on swinging the bat as fast as possible.
**[Jeremy]** I want to be outside the fence when we hit the ball.
**[Destin]** If everything goes as planned, the pitcher (me) will need to be careful.
We encountered an issue with our setup, as we realized we weren’t getting full power from the generator. Jeremy explained the difference between single-phase and three-phase power, which is crucial for maximizing torque on the motor.
After some adjustments, we powered up the machine and attempted our first swing. Unfortunately, we broke a bat on the first try, which was expected at that stress point.
Next, we decided to switch to aluminum bats for added durability. While Jeremy made the necessary adjustments, I worked on upgrading our safety measures.
When we resumed, we cranked up the power to 100%. The bat flew over the fence, and we confirmed it traveled 581 feet, surpassing Babe Ruth’s record of 575 feet.
We then prepared to attempt hitting a baseball with the same setup. After several tries, we recorded an exit velocity of 190 miles per hour, which is significantly higher than the average for major league baseball.
Ultimately, we decided to go all out at full power. After a successful swing, we measured the distance using drones and GPS, and it registered at 696 feet, which we believe to be the longest home run in history.
In conclusion, while this experiment was unconventional, it provided valuable insights into the physics of baseball and the engineering behind our setup. Thank you for watching “Smarter Every Day,” and I encourage you to subscribe for more exciting content.
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This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing informalities and extraneous details.
Baseball – A sport that involves hitting a ball with a bat and running bases, often used in physics to study motion and forces. – In physics class, we used the motion of a baseball to understand how gravity and air resistance affect its path.
Machine – A device that uses energy to perform a specific task, often involving mechanical parts. – The lever is a simple machine that helps us lift heavy objects with less effort.
Speed – The rate at which an object moves, calculated by dividing the distance traveled by the time taken. – We measured the speed of the toy car by timing how long it took to travel across the classroom.
Power – The rate at which work is done or energy is transferred in a system. – The power of the motor was enough to lift the weights quickly to the top of the ramp.
Angle – The space between two intersecting lines or surfaces, measured in degrees. – We adjusted the angle of the ramp to see how it affected the speed of the rolling ball.
Torque – A measure of the force that causes an object to rotate around an axis. – The wrench provided enough torque to loosen the tight bolt on the machine.
Experiment – A scientific procedure to test a hypothesis and observe the effects of changing variables. – Our experiment involved changing the length of the pendulum to see how it affected the swing time.
Distance – The amount of space between two points, often measured in meters or kilometers. – We used a ruler to measure the distance the marble traveled down the inclined plane.
Physics – The branch of science that studies matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of nature. – In physics class, we learned about the laws of motion and how they apply to everyday objects.
Engineering – The application of scientific and mathematical principles to design and build structures, machines, and systems. – Engineering projects in school help us understand how bridges are designed to be strong and stable.
