Slinky Slow-Mo

You may have outgrown your fascination with the seemingly simple Slinky, but these videos may change your mind. Check out the incredible slow-motion video of a Slinky falling.

Pay close attention to how the bottom of the slinky stays still, until the top catches it. There is actually a very interesting scientific principle behind the cool visual. Read on after the video for more info on why this happens.

This second video addresses the science of why the bottom of the Slinky stays so still.

Did you make your prediction? Here’s the answer:

Simply put, the reason the Slinky stays stationary is because the Slinky’s tension fights against gravity, meaning that the force of gravity and the force of tension, cancel each other out. The bottom of the slinky doesn’t know to fall, until the top catches up to it.

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