The Physics of Slingshots, with Jörg - Smarter Every Day 31

Destin is joined by Jörg, who hosts the Slingshot Channel, to discuss the physics of slingshots.

Jörg humorously acknowledges that his channel is called the Slingshot Channel, though he jokes they could have called it 'the Nice Guys Channel' instead.

The discussion will cover energy use in slingshot bands and examine whether Jörg's claims about his most powerful slingshot are accurate.

Jörg's slingshot has the energy of a rifle shot and the momentum of a sledgehammer.

Kinetic energy is calculated as 1/2 mass times velocity squared.

• .22 rifle: approximately 153 joules • Springfield .30-06 rifle: approximately 3841 joules • Sledgehammer momentum: approximately 46 newton seconds (calculated by analyzing brick smashing in slow motion)

The angle between the band and the point of anchoring affects efficiency; taking the cosine of that angle reveals the force going into accelerating the projectile.

The closer the bands are to each other, the more efficient the slingshot becomes.

The first shot went slightly low due to cold weather and the rubber bands being kept in a drawn condition for an extended period.

Rubber doesn't work as efficiently in cold temperatures compared to hot temperatures.

There was almost a complete momentum transfer between the ball and the wood, with the mass-times-velocity of the ball transferring entirely into the wood.

The shot successfully hit and penetrated the target wood.

Destin encourages viewers to check out Jörg's Slingshot Channel and subscribe if they enjoy the content.

Slingshots work by converting potential energy stored in the rubber bands into kinetic energy that propels the projectile.

Jörg uses a special device to build up potential energy by drawing back a very large steel ball clasped between dowels.

The goal is to destroy a pumpkin with the slingshot, with the challenge being to successfully hit it rather than whether the slingshot is powerful enough.