Summary of Shockwave Shadows in Ultra Slow Motion (Bullet Schlieren) - Smarter Every Day 203

00:00:00 - 00:05:00

This video demonstrates how to use a Schlieren setup to visualize the shock waves created on bullets as they travel through the air. The shock waves are created by the air moving out of the way around the bullet as it accelerates.

• 00:00:00 In this video, Destin demonstrates how a Schlieren setup can be used to visualize the shock waves on the front of a super sonic bullet. The giant 16" parabolic mirror that they will be using to achieve this will allow them to play around with the speed of sound. They shoot a Supersonic and Subsonic round, and the Supersonic shock wave looks more like the 50 cal round with one major difference - the angle is more Obtuse which indicates that the bullet is traveling much slower.
• 00:05:00 In this video, the narrator shows how shock waves are created on bullets when they travel through air at different speeds. The shock waves can be seen on the sides of the bullet, and Dr. Kanistras explains that they are a result of the air moving out of the way around the bullet as it accelerates. He also shows how shock waves are created on a revolver when the gun is discharged.