Shattering a Wine Glass with Sound: filmed at 187,500FPS (credit: The Slow Mo Guys)

Shattering a Wine Glass with Sound: filmed at 187,500FPS (credit: The Slow Mo Guys)

Title: Shattering a Wine Glass with Your Voice: The Stunning Physics Captured at 187,500 FPS

Meta Description: Watch science come alive as The Slow Mo Guys use high-speed cameras to film a wine glass shattering at 187,500 FPS with sound alone. Explore the physics behind this explosive spectacle.

Introduction: The Power of Resonance

We’ve all heard that a singer can shatter a wine glass with their voice alone—but seeing it happen in extreme slow motion brings this scientific phenomenon to life. In a jaw-dropping experiment, YouTube legends The Slow Mo Guys (Gavin Free and Daniel Gruchy) filmed the destruction of a wine glass using only sound waves—captured at a staggering 187,500 frames per second (FPS). The result? A mesmerizing dance of physics, fragility, and sheer force.

Below, we break down the science, the technology, and the sheer spectacle of this viral experiment—and why it matters far beyond entertainment.

The Science: How Sound Shatters Glass

At the heart of this experiment is resonance, a fundamental principle of physics. Here’s how it works:

1. Resonant Frequency: Every object has a natural vibration frequency. For wine glasses, this is typically between 500–2500 Hz, depending on size, thickness, and material.
   • When sound waves match this frequency, energy transfers efficiently to the glass.
2. Amplitude Amplification: If the sound persists, vibrations intensify, causing the glass to bend microscopically.
3. The Breaking Point: Beyond its structural limits, the glass fractures—starting as a hairline crack that propagates catastrophically.

The Slow Mo Guys used a high-power speaker emitting a pure tone tuned to the glass’s resonant frequency, demonstrating physics in action.

Behind the Scenes: Filming at 187,500 FPS

To truly capture the millisecond chaos of shattering glass, The Slow Mo Guys deployed the Phantom Ultrahigh-Speed Camera, cranking it up to 187,500 frames per second. Here’s why this matters:

• Human Perception: Our eyes see at ~24 FPS. High-speed cameras split seconds into fractions, revealing details invisible in real-time.
• The Slow-Mo Magic: At this speed, each frame represents just 5.33 microseconds of real time. The glass’s explosive demise unfolds like a ballet of destruction—glass shards cascading outward, waves of stress rippling through the material, and sound waves visibly deforming the surface.

The Slow Mo Guys’ Video Breakdown

In their iconic video (filmed in a soundproof chamber to protect equipment), Gavin and Daniel:

1. Tuned the Frequency: Using a tone generator, they found the glass’s resonant pitch.
2. Cranked the Volume: Amplified the sound until vibrations overwhelmed the glass.
3. Captured the Chaos: The camera revealed:
   • Vibration Waves: The glass surface wobbling violently.
   • Crack Initiation: The moment the first fracture appeared.
   • Implosion: The structural collapse, fragmenting into glittering shards.

Watch the full video here (Credit: The Slow Mo Guys)

Why This Experiment Matters

Beyond the spectacle, this demonstration showcases:

1. Real-World Physics: Resonance governs everything from bridge collapses (e.g., Tacoma Narrows disaster) to MRI machines.
2. Material Science: Understanding how materials fail under stress informs engineering and safety design.
3. Science Communication: The Slow Mo Guys make complex concepts accessible—inspiring millions to engage with STEM.

Can You Shatter a Glass with Your Voice?

While possible in theory, it’s incredibly difficult without lab-grade tools:

• Precision: You’d need perfect pitch alignment and sustained volume.
• Glass Quality: Thinner, crystal glasses are more vulnerable than thick barware.
• Safety: Never attempt this without protective equipment—glass shards fly at deadly speeds!

Conclusion: Where Physics Meets Art

The Slow Mo Guys’ 187,500 FPS footage isn’t just a viral hit—it’s a masterclass in fluid dynamics, acoustics, and material failure. By slowing down the invisible forces that govern our world, they turn science into sheer entertainment. Next time you clink glasses at dinner, remember: unseen vibrations are dancing all around us.

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