When slowed down, everyday occurrences, like a drop of water falling into a pool, can look absolutely extraordinary. When a falling drop has low momentum, it doesn’t simply disappear into the puddle. It sits on the surface, separated from the main pool by a very thin layer of air. Given time, the air drains away and the droplet cascades its way into the pool via smaller and smaller droplets. By vibrating the surface, the droplet bounces, with each bounce refreshing the layer of air that separates it from the main pool. Minute Lab’s video does a great job of explaining the process from beginning to end, accompanied with wonderful video of each step in action. For even more mind-boggling, check out how these bouncing droplets can demonstrate quantum mechanical behaviors. (Video credit: Minute Laboratory; submitted by Pascal)
Bouncing Atop a Pool
