This video is kinda hypnotic, takes your mind off COVID etc for awhile.
At 17:04, these things that look like colored tongue depressors go flying. Where’s the energy coming from? Did they store some tension in them, like when you shuffle a deck of cards?
Yes. See how they are laced together?
I’ve seen that before. The sticks are all interwoven under tension with just one piece held down. You can see a large block is used to keep it in place. Once that piece is free to snap loose it continues in a chain reaction.
Thanks for the replies. It’s very cool IMO.
A quick search (I was curious too) found Scientific American’s Flying Stick Chain Reaction, which phrase found more STEM activities:
Steve Spangler (also a good source of other fun activities), and
Science Buddies, which warns that this is not an appropriate science fair project!
Did you ever make an exploding ninja star out of popsicle sticks as a kid? Same principle.
We also made spring like things with a paper clip. They would be under tension and if you’d drop them from 2 feet up they’d hit the floor and spring up about 8 feet.
Nope. Never heard of them.
Interesting. I guess I had a dull childhood.
I’m surprised they can store that much energy.
For anybody who’s interested, this shows the “cobra weave” at about 1:20 in.
