Beautiful Science: Slinky Physics

at


As the slow motion sequences in this Veritaserum video show, when a fully extended slinky suspended from above is dropped, the bottom coils hang motionless in the air – seemingly defying gravity – until the rest of the falling Slinky catches up.

(a) Is this the work of Beelzebub and his horny minions?
(b) Are the top and bottom of the Slinky accelerating towards its center of mass as the center of mass accelerates downward?
(c) Are you hearing this song in your head right now?

THE SCIENCE: Modeling a falling Slinky (Wired)

dailywh.at/kottke

Sponsored Link
Sponsored Link
Broadsheet.ie