Hey baseball fanatics! Have you ever wondered what would happen if a baseball traveled faster than the speed of sound?

Well, you’re in for a treat because that’s exactly what Destin from Smarter Every Day has been experimenting with! Imagine taking America’s favorite pastime to a whole new level with a supersonic twist.

Buckle up, because this is going to be a wild ride:

Alright, so here’s the scoop. Destin, the brainiac behind Smarter Every Day, built a colossal air cannon to shoot baseballs faster than the speed of sound.

This isn’t just some YouTube gimmick – it’s a full-blown scientific exploration combining his childhood love for baseball with his expertise in aerodynamics.

And thanks to the support from his patrons, this ambitious project has come to life.

The setup is no small feat. We’re talking about a monstrous cannon and an elaborate system to measure the speed and behavior of the baseballs. High-speed cameras capture every millisecond, allowing us to see the intricate details of each supersonic shot.

In this latest episode, Destin and his team are dialing in the cannon’s settings, aiming for precise control over the baseball’s speed.

But what’s the fun in just shooting baseballs? The Smarter Every Day community suggested a series of fascinating targets, and boy, did Destin deliver.

In previous episodes, we’ve seen rainbow sprinkles and heavy mayonnaise jars meet their supersonic doom. Today, we’re diving into even crazier territory: silly putty, a gong, and some wild mirror shots.

Silly Putty Showdown

First up, we have the silly putty. If you thought silly putty was just for childhood fun, think again. This non-Newtonian fluid behaves like a solid when hit quickly, and Destin was curious to see if it would shatter like glass under supersonic impact.

Spoiler alert: it did not disappoint. The high-speed footage captured the baseball tearing through the putty, creating fractures that looked like they came straight out of a sci-fi movie.

Gong Smash

Next on the list was a steel gong. This wasn’t just any gong – it was a patron-suggested target, and it took center stage.

At a staggering 800 psi, the baseball obliterated the gong, sending shockwaves through the team (and their safety precautions). The aftermath? A massive dent and some serious excitement. Destin’s reaction was pure joy, like a kid in a candy store.

Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall

The grand finale involved a highly technical mirror shot. This setup required precise alignment and optimal lighting to capture the baseball’s flight in the most dramatic way possible.

The result? A stunning visual of the baseball’s reflection, right before it shattered the mirror into a million pieces. It’s like watching art in motion, but with a lot more chaos.

Data and Discovery

Throughout these experiments, Destin’s ultimate goal is to gather data on how different pressures affect the baseball’s speed and behavior. By graphing this data, he aims to predict future outcomes and push the boundaries of his supersonic experiments even further. The meticulous process of measuring and analyzing each shot provides invaluable insights into the physics at play.

So, what’s next for the supersonic baseball cannon?

Destin hints at some even crazier ideas on the horizon, promising that the best is yet to come. If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe to Smarter Every Day and follow along on this high-velocity adventure. Whether you’re a baseball aficionado or a science geek, this series is a home run.

Stay tuned for more explosive experiments, and remember – in the world of Smarter Every Day, learning is always a blast!