Can I Make a SUPERSONIC STEEL WHIP?

Failure to build a supersonic steel chain like you may have seen on the internet is always an option.

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[HydraulicPressChannel]

I am pretty sure that it's physically impossible to generate enough energy with one whipping motion to get steel chain move faster than the speed of sound. If you have just lets say 50 grams of chain moving on that speed and the rest of the whip is motionless you still need about 3000 joules. If the whole movement takes 2 seconds you should be averaging 1.5 kw of power while doing that, while trying not to hit yourself and die :D

[Firespark]

Science does not always succeed. Failures happens. It's no biggy.

[FilmFightFanatic]

I guess shin guards go a long way for these kinds of things.

[LemmingOfEvil]

4:19 A calculator as a friend? That would be a friend you could count on.

[allanroberts]

I know why from my own experiences with whips.

So there are 2 compounding problems you will have to overcome if you feel safe doing so and try this again.

1. The motion. Your physics are correct, only if they properly correlate with the model. If you watch your footage, during the moment you would expect a crack, most of the whip is still moving. The momentum is not transferring efficiently. Your arc is too large. If you watch the motion of a whip in an expert's hand, a large loop is formed at the beginning of the motion which overlaps itself slightly. As it progresses down the length of the whip, the loop shrinks and the main body quite neatly stops in mid air.

If you watch that video again, take note of the first crack. He swims the whip overhead, imparting significant momentum into it before reversing the motion. That reversal is the key to directing the energy down the length of the whip. Otherwise, you may as well have a wobbly noodle.

2. The whip itself. That thing is heavy and long. Both of these factors make it harder to use. The heavier a whip is, the more energy you need to be able to put into it, and the more difficult it is to control. There are whips with steel shot in them to increase the weight, but these are for experienced users who can control them better. Essentially, your skill equates to the efficiency of energy transfer. If you can effectively impart 30N into a whip, but loose 90% of that energy to the raw weight of the material, it won't work as well as that same 30N in a whip you are comfortable with and can use it at an efficiency of 90%, only loading 10% to the weight of the material and actual energy transfer.

I mentioned its length. The longer it is, the harder to control. You need enough material to generate the motion that transfers the energy, but there's a point of diminishing return. A whip concentrates energy, but only if the motion is correct. At a certain point, it becomes neigh impossible for a whip user to actually swing it. Imagine trying to fight with an 8ft sword. Even if you could hold it, it would be clumsy and unwieldy.



My proposed solution.
Find a large, flat, paved area with a radius larger than that of the whip. Stand in the center and rotate, holding the whip at arm's length until centripetal acceleration holds it nearly straight (counterclockwise if right handed). Take a step backwards with your right foot, over the relatively slow spinning chain and pull your right arm slightly up before snapping it down and in the direction of the chain as hard as you can, lifting your left foot out of the way as you do so. The chain whip should crack to your left at about 15-70° from the direction you are facing., depending on your step timing and the speed you move your arm. This method should also keep the end away from your legs as long as the tapering proportions of the chain are close to reasonable.

[jairusofall]

This was a really cool video. I actually really liked that it was a fail and the explanation! Inspiring!

[Dream]

In the wise words of one Adam Savage, "Failure is always an option."

[CamJames]

Has anyone realized just how many videos this guy has made? he's a legend.

[donngreitontordilla]

A chemistry professor once had our class do an experiment where we'd combine clear chemicals and take note of what colors they turned into. He gave us a chart of colors to watch out for, but they all stayed completely or almost completely clear. We thought we were doing something wrong, so we all "saw" colors that weren't there, looking very closely to see if we could detect a trace of color, and then mark those on our papers. Later on he would go on to tell us that he forgot about the catalyst, but he failed all of us anyway for doctoring the results. Most memorable lesson I got about the scientific method.

[Frosty_Tips_]

"it will look cooler when I whip it, and it's longer than it looks" these are actually words I did expect to someday hear on a Kyle Hill video.

[ShadeSlayer]

I appreciate it when tubers show their failures along with their successes. You're absolutely correct in what you said about the success bias. Seeing the occasional (or even often) failures is actually quite encouraging to me, as it reminds me that I could do some of this stuff too, and I don't have to succeed every time. So, thanks for that, Science Thor.

[PaleGhost]

Kyle talking about the speed of sound.
Me watching at x2 speed: I'm four parallel universes ahead of you

[AgileGeoff]

FAIL = First Attempt In Learning

And we learned steel whips are kinda ouchy

[Christopher_Wheeler]

I haven't found a video from Kyle I didn't like.

[geraintwd]

Not only does TikTok Kratos have leather on the end of his whip, he's also an absolute fucking unit. Sorry Kyle.

[theblackwiggle]

I have never been dissatisfied or disappointed with watching your videos. I'm glad you shared this with us all. Failure is a part of life, and is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of.

[Sock]

Nothing wrong with "failure", thats a result just the same as getting it done. You ROCK KYLE NEVER STOP POPPIN SCIENCE THOR

[Keade]

That fact that you even dared using that thing is impressing! That wip is scary AF.

Anywho, thanks for sharing this and keep up the good work!

[HighwayMystery]

Honestly i think we can more appreciate you trying, and telling us you failed. Most people will not aknowledge they couldnt do something. Thank you for showing us Kyle, much love from your viewers 🙌🏻

[smedwaseen]

“Failure is the greatest teacher”I am not disappointed or dissatisfied thank you for all the effort you’ve used for this vid it’s a good one!