75mph Bird to the Face with Adam Savage (@tested) and @bobbyfingers - The Slow Mo Guys

The Slow Mo Guys

15 May 202416:30

Summary

TLDRIn this episode of the Slow-Mo Guys, Gavin collaborates with Adam Savage to capture slow-motion footage of a ballistic gel goose being fired from a giant air cannon at silicone heads. The experiment, inspired by a request from the creator 'Bobby Fingers', involves intricate setups including a 20-foot air cannon and high-speed cameras to study the impact dynamics. Throughout the video, the team conducts multiple tests to measure the speed and impact of the goose, culminating in hilariously grotesque yet scientifically intriguing results. The episode is filled with technical setups, slow-motion captures, and a humorous exploration of bizarre scenarios.

Takeaways

📹 The video features a complex and visually engaging experiment involving a ballistic gel goose fired from a 20-foot air cannon at a silicone head to capture slow-motion impacts.
🔬 The collaboration includes various experts, with Adam Savage from MythBusters creating the air cannon, and Bobby Fingers providing the silicone heads and ballistic gel geese.
🎥 High-speed cameras (TMX 7510) are used to capture the experiment, allowing detailed analysis of the goose's flight and impact at 4K resolution and speeds up to 82,000 frames per second.
🧪 Preparations for the experiment involve using a special lube, typically used for animal birthing, to ensure the smooth firing of the goose from the cannon.
🌟 The experiment aims to replicate and measure the speed and trajectory of the goose, with initial tests aiming to achieve a speed of 75 mph.
👀 The impact results are striking, with slow-motion footage showing detailed reactions of the silicone heads to the goose's impact, capturing expressions and deformations.
🛠️ The setup includes safety protocols around the air cannon, ensuring that pressure is controlled and spectators are at a safe distance during the firing.
📊 The experiment involves multiple tests with variations in goose weight and air pressure to explore different impact outcomes and optimize camera settings for best visual capture.
🤔 The project reflects a blend of scientific inquiry and whimsical experimentation, embodying the spirit of popular science entertainment.
🔄 Feedback from the experiment is used real-time to adjust parameters and improve the setup, demonstrating a dynamic and responsive testing environment.

Q & A

What is the purpose of firing a ballistic gel goose out of an air cannon in the video?
-The ballistic gel goose is fired from an air cannon to create slow-motion footage of it hitting a silicon head. This is done to simulate and record the impact visually in slow motion, providing detailed footage for Bobby Fingers' YouTube channel.
Who is Adam Savage and what role does he play in the video?
-Adam Savage is a former co-host of the TV show MythBusters and he contributes to the video by assembling a 20ft air cannon with a large pressure tank for the experiment.
What is the significance of using animal birthing lube in the experiment?
-Animal birthing lube is used to ease the launching process of the ballistic gel goose from the air cannon by reducing friction inside the barrel, allowing for smoother and possibly more accurate shots.
Why was a specific type of air cannon and camera used for the shoot?
-A 20ft air cannon equipped with a large pressure tank is used to provide the necessary force to launch the ballistic gel goose effectively. The TMX 7510 camera is used to capture high-quality 4K slow-motion footage at speeds up to 82,000 frames per second, essential for capturing detailed slow-motion images of the experiment.
What are the safety precautions mentioned before firing the air cannon?
-Before firing the air cannon, it is emphasized that no one should pass the designated safety line once the cannon is connected and pressurized. Everyone is advised to stay behind a certain area for safety until an 'all clear' is given, ensuring that no one is in danger of being hit by accidental discharge or debris.
How does the video illustrate the velocity of the goose post-launch?
-The velocity of the goose post-launch is monitored through the high-speed camera, capturing its speed and trajectory. The video details checking the speed to see if it reaches around 75 mph, which is done by calculating the time it takes to travel a known distance.
What is the 'MythBuzzer moment' as described in the video?
-The 'MythBuzzer moment' refers to a reflective moment of surreal realization, mentioned by Adam Savage, where individuals involved in creative or experimental projects ponder the bizarre or unique nature of what they are doing, often questioning how they arrived at that point in their professional or personal life.
How do they ensure that the goose is properly lubricated for the experiment?
-Proper lubrication of the goose is ensured by first firing a test shot with lube only to coat the inside of the barrel. Subsequently, the goose itself is greased and dipped in lube before being loaded into the cannon, ensuring minimal friction during launch.
What happens to the Fabio head when hit by the ballistic gel goose?
-When the ballistic gel goose hits the Fabio head, it results in a significant visual impact captured in slow motion, showcasing the head reacting to the force of the goose's strike. The impact illustrates the potential damage and physical reaction when a soft object hits a more rigid one at high speed.
What are the next steps mentioned at the end of the video?
-At the end of the video, viewers are encouraged to subscribe to the channel for more slow-motion content, and to check out additional videos on Adam Savage's Tested channel and Bobby Fingers' channel for the full video of the Fabio experiment.

Outlines

00:00

🎥 Setting Up an Elaborate Slow-Mo Experiment

Gavin introduces a scenario involving a ballistic gel goose being launched from a 20ft air cannon at a silicone head, orchestrated by Adam Savage. This experiment was inspired by a request from Bobby Fingers, a YouTube creator known for detailed dioramas of famous moments. The setup involves intricate preparations with high-speed cameras to capture the impact in slow motion. Adam's involvement brings an element of MythBusters' legacy, enhancing the surreal nature of the project.

05:01

🚀 Launching and Measuring High-Speed Impacts

The second paragraph details the continuation of the experiment, focusing on the actual firing of the gel goose, measurements of its speed, and its impact on the silicone head representing Fabio. Key interactions include technical adjustments to achieve desired speeds and humorous moments reflecting on the bizarre nature of the experiment. The dialogue captures the team's expertise and the oddity of their tasks, culminating in a successful high-speed impact that meets their expectations.

10:02

🔬 Analyzing the Results and Refining Techniques

In the third paragraph, the experiment progresses with multiple launches to test different setups and materials, including a white silicon test goose expected to cause more damage. The team analyzes the impacts in great detail, with Adam Savage guiding the modifications and observing the effects on the silicone head. The comedic and bizarre nature of the testing is emphasized, along with the team's fascination and excitement with the unexpected results.

15:05

🌐 Concluding Experiments and Reflecting on the Day

The final paragraph wraps up the series of tests with concluding shots and a reflection on the day's events. The narrative highlights the unique challenges posed by the environment, such as the sticky clay at the quarry. Gavin ends the video by inviting viewers to subscribe and check out additional content on related channels, signifying the collaborative and public nature of the project. The day is described as one of Gavin's favorite experiences, showcasing the blend of science, entertainment, and community in their work.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡ballistic gel

Ballistic gel is a synthetic material used to simulate human flesh in experiments, particularly in testing the effects of projectile impacts. In the video, a ballistic gel goose is fired out of an air cannon to test the dynamics of impact, which is central to understanding the slow-motion effects on simulated organic materials. This illustrates the video's theme of exploring high-speed impacts in a controlled environment.

💡slow-mo

Slow motion (slow-mo) is a filming technique that captures footage at a higher frame rate than it is played back, making fast actions appear much slower. This technique is fundamental to the video as it allows detailed analysis of fast events, like a ballistic gel goose hitting a target, which are otherwise too quick to be observed by the naked eye.

💡air cannon

An air cannon is a device used to launch projectiles by utilizing compressed air. In the script, Adam Savage assembles a large air cannon to fire ballistic gel geese. This equipment is crucial for conducting the experiments described, providing a method to project objects at high velocities to capture slow-motion impacts.

💡Fabio

In the video, 'Fabio' refers to silicon heads modeled after the celebrity Fabio Lanzoni, who famously had an incident involving a bird strike during a roller coaster ride. These heads are used as targets in the experiments to recreate and analyze the impact of the goose on a human-like figure.

💡MythBusters

MythBusters is a popular science television program that focuses on experimenting and testing myths. Adam Savage, a former co-host, participates in the video's experiments. The mention of MythBusters connects the video's theme of experimental, entertaining science to a broader cultural context familiar to viewers.

💡animal birthing lube

Animal birthing lube is a slippery substance used in veterinary practices to aid in the birthing process. In the video, this lube is humorously repurposed to grease the air cannon's barrel to ensure the ballistic gel goose can be launched smoothly, highlighting the inventive and quirky approach taken in these experiments.

💡high-speed cameras

High-speed cameras are capable of capturing thousands of frames per second, allowing detailed slow-motion playback of rapid events. These cameras are essential tools in the video, used to record the ballistic impacts and provide visual insights into the physics of high-speed collisions, central to the video's investigative theme.

💡silicon head

Silicon heads in the video are lifelike replicas used as targets for the ballistic gel geese. They provide a human-like model for studying the effects of impacts in various experiments, simulating how such an event might affect a real person, thereby enriching the scientific exploration of physical interactions.

💡TMX 7510

TMX 7510 likely refers to a model of a high-speed camera used to capture the slow-motion footage in the video. By specifying this model, the video highlights the technical precision necessary for capturing detailed slow-motion footage that is critical for analyzing high-speed events.

💡pressure tank

A pressure tank in the context of the video is used to store compressed air which propels the ballistic gel goose out of the air cannon. This component is vital for achieving the necessary force to launch the projectile at speeds sufficient to produce meaningful slow-motion effects when it strikes the silicon head.

Highlights

Gavin introduces a unique slow-mo scenario involving a ballistic gel goose and a silicon head.

Adam Savage assembles a 20-foot air cannon for the experiment.

Preparation for the test includes lubricating the cannon with a unique blend of animal birthing lube.

First test firing of the goose at 60 PSI to gauge the projectile speed and effectiveness.

Adjustments made to increase PSI for greater launch power.

Impact results exceed expectations, prompting a higher PSI adjustment.

Gavin and Adam analyze high-speed footage to measure the exact speed of the goose.

Further modifications lead to even more precise control over the cannon's power and the goose's trajectory.

Testing the aim of the cannon with differently weighted geese to optimize performance.

Surprising findings from the impact analysis show detailed dynamics of collision.

Analysis of slow-motion footage reveals unexpected aerodynamic properties of the goose projectile.

Final tests demonstrate the contrasting effects of ballistic gel vs. silicone in projectile experiments.

Adam Savage discusses the physical and scientific implications of the experimental results.

The team reflects on the surreal experience and the excitement of their scientific exploration.

Gavin concludes the session with an invitation to view more detailed analyses on related YouTube channels.