The Fascinating Science Behind Prince Rupert's Drop

🔬Prince Rupert's Drops are glass objects with unique mechanical properties.

💥The outer layer of Prince Rupert's Drops is in extreme compressive stress, while the inner layer is in extreme tensile stress.

🔨Hitting the bulb of a Prince Rupert's Drop with a hammer won't break it, but nicking the tail will cause it to explode.

🌊The cooling and solidifying process of a Prince Rupert's Drop creates high internal tensions.

🎥The velocity of the failure front in a Prince Rupert's Drop can be measured using high-speed cameras.

Why don't Prince Rupert's Drops break when hit on the bulb?

—The outer layer of Prince Rupert's Drops is in extreme compressive stress, making it resistant to breaking.

What causes a Prince Rupert's Drop to explode?

—If the tail of a Prince Rupert's Drop is nicked or broken, the release of stored up energy from the internal tensions causes it to explode.

Why can't you break a Prince Rupert's Drop by hitting it with a hammer?

—The inner layer of the drop is in extreme tensile stress, but the outer layer prevents it from breaking.

How are high-speed cameras used to study Prince Rupert's Drops?

—High-speed cameras can capture the propagation of the failure front in the drop when it explodes, allowing scientists to measure its velocity.

What is the significance of the internal stresses in a Prince Rupert's Drop?

—The internal stresses create a unique combination of strength and brittleness, making Prince Rupert's Drops fascinating objects for scientific study.

00:00Destin introduces the concept of Prince Rupert's Drops and the video's focus on their properties.

00:16Cal demonstrates how to create a Prince Rupert's Drop by cooling molten glass in water.

01:20Destin and Cal attempt to break a Prince Rupert's Drop by hitting it with a hammer.

02:22Using high-speed cameras, the video captures the moment a Prince Rupert's Drop breaks.

03:39An explanation of the internal stresses and tension in a Prince Rupert's Drop.

04:47A demonstration showing the velocity of the failure front in a Prince Rupert's Drop.

05:39Acknowledgment and support for Cal from Orbix Hot Glass.

06:11Additional footage of attempts to break Prince Rupert's Drops.