Physics Colloquium | "Whip Dynamics in a Freely Falling Chain", Oct. 6

The Physics & Astronomy Colloquium Series presents Peter Palffy-Muhoray of Kent State University, discussing "Whip Dynamics in a Freely Falling Chain" on Oct. 6.

Abstract: Chains, consisting of jointed rigid segments, can exhibit unexpected and fascinating dynamical phenomena; one example is the chain fountain ¹ . Whips, typically formed from continuously deformable soft materials, also show interesting dynamical phenomena, such as supersonic tip velocity ² . In this talk, I will discuss the processes responsible for the intriguing responses of these two mechanical systems and demonstrate astonishing dynamical behavior when they are combined to form a chain whip.

1.    Biggins, J.S. and M. Warner, Understanding the chain fountain. Proc. Roy. Soc.  470 , 2163, (2014).

2.    A. Goriely and T. McMillen, Shape of a Cracking Whip, Phys. Rev. Lett. 88 , 224301 (2002)