For those wondering, you see how the rods are alternating diagonal? When the downward part of the bottom rod hits the table, it bounces up, pulling the other side of the rod, and therefore that rope, downwards. Rinse and repeat with every rod, all pulling slightly downwards on the ladder, and now it's falling faster than the other.
Ty garvin is correct, although not articulate. Bro my thinking was also limited to Einstein's relative table-surface tapping step-rods' geometric gravity-center fulcrums just like you, until seeing Ty garvin's comment. Combine both of you with a small edit, and we have concise articulation.
Since everyone has a long and over-complicated answer: - Ladder steps are angled. - One side of the ladder step hits the floor first. - Creates a torque (rotating force). - Torque creates tension in the shorter string. - The ladder falls slightly faster.
@@denske1272 Not sure I understand what you mean, but the whole ladder remains reasonably stable because the force is not too strong and they alternate sides with each step that hits the floors, so you can't see very well the individual effect of each step, only the overall acceleration over the remaining falling ladder.
Since the rungs are angled, the table is causing them to flatten out, which pulls down on the rung above it. This alternates left to right, gradually speeding it up. Edit: Never expected my comment to get so much attention. To elaborate a bit, one needs to understand that even the ladder on the right will speed up after it hits the ground, just like the one on the left. The only reason you see the difference is because the one on the left hit the table (higher ground) before the one on the right. Also, to better see the pulling effect, don't just watch the strings close to the table. Look closer to the top of the ladder, like two or three rungs from the top after the top comes into view. You can clearly see motion in the strings that is not seen in the ladder on the right.
Basically, as each tilted steel rod falls, it bounces up a little on impact. This causes them to gain some torque that properls the other end downward faster. The taut string on that side allows that increase in speed to pull the ladder down slightly faster, while the non-taut longer string on the other end prevents the bounce from pushing the ladder up to slow it down.
The key thing is that the steps are angled in an altering pattern. As a step hits the table, a rotating force is applied on the step and pulls the next step, and applies a rotating force in the other direction. The interaction pulls all of the steps down every time a step hits a table. That's why the left latter falls quicker.
i like it. my thinking was that there was a set of oscillations generated from the initial rungs hitting the table, and these oscillations moved throughout the rope, tugging each rung closer together.
When the angled rings hit the table they exert a tiny accelerating force on one string, via angular momentum. When the next ring hits, it tugs a tiny bit on the other side string. So you get a series of tiny angular momentum tugs on the strings, adding to the g acceleration.
@@MisterFinny well that's not quite it because if you look, the top rung of the l ladder is lower on the left side so if you remove the ladder pieces and even the table, that left side ladder will still hit the ground first. it because the rungs are angled, so if you look at the string on the opposite side of where the ladder hits it tugs on the string pulling it down slightly faster.
The angled sticks ensure that tension transfer is not uniform at both edges in the next stick. This, in a way, generates torque, and this torque guarantees that the upcoming stick is pulled down faster. The pulling force accumulates and is most noticeable at the last stick.
On the left, when an end of a step ( the one closer to the table surface) hits the table, a rotational force is created on the opposite side of that step, and that force pulls the shorter string down.
That's what I was thinking, but I didn't phrase it so clearly in my head. Rung hits table, yanks string slightly, pulls ladder down slightly, compounding this creates the end result.
I cannot say it doesn't play a role, but we need to know the change of surface area and speed to say that it increased the speed of the one on the table.
Two added forces 1) when the diagonally oriented rungs hit the table the impact causes a rotational moment within the rung and thus causing each short string to pull taught and impart a tiny bit of extra downward force on the string above it to arrest the rotational moment, thus adding to the Net downward force. and 2) As each rung hits the table the string attached to the rung above it is now exerting a small but significant horizontal force on the rope, which can only be absorbed by the rung above it (an additional downward pull), and thereby the swinging and bending rope pieces each add a bit of redirected acceleration force to the system, causing the net vertical acceleration to be greater than just the force of gravity on the ladder.
The steps are tilted, so once the lower side hits the table, it will act as a lever, pulling on the above step at the opposite side. Since the tilt is alternating, this extra pull will be alternating between left and right, so on average both sides get a little extra pull down.
It won't matter since they're all in free fall and the lowest one cannot fall faster than free fall. I believe the answer is the rotating force as some have mentioned in the comments. When the rod is rotating, the distance to the next rod is decreased which creates an additional force to gravity. The rod starts rotating when the first side hits the table, the rotating force stops being applied when the rod stops turning or the other side of the rod hits the table.
The angled sticks are the key. The center of mass of each stick is in the middle. When the lower end of the stick hits, the center of mass keeps falling at the previous speed. That makes the stick rotate around the contact point, and the far end of the stick increases speed. The upper end of the stick moves down faster than it did previously, and it pulls on the rest of the ladder.
Because the rungs are at an angle. Once they hit the table there’s a rebound effect that causes more tension on one side than the other. The tension yields a secondary “pulling” force that acts in conjunction with gravity, therefore speeding up the time it takes to hit the table which is higher than the other ladder.
A key to this trick is the alternating slanted bars. One end of a bar hitting the table causes the other end to pull the short string due to the rotation around the center of gravity of the bar. The short string is pulled and in turn the next bar is pulled slightly. As a result, the ladder experiences more pull (downward force) compared with the other ladder.
It's because the ladder has angled steps (planks). When the planks hit the ground, only the tip of the plank makes contact with the table, causing the plank want to rotate around it's centre of mass (converting the planks normal momentum into angular momentum). This causes the other end of the plank to also rotate around the centre of mass. But there's a string connecter to the plank above that, so it pulls down on the rope(gives a tugg and tension in the rope increases, all the way up to the top). The next plank is angled the other way, so it's the other side that hits the table first. So each time a plank falls, a downward tugg is given at the opposite end, alternating left and right. These tuggs add additional acceleration to the planks that are still falling, in the same downward direction.
@@anantsrivastava1564You haven’t shown two ladders with even steps falling at different rates, so no explanation is necessary because as far as we know, it won’t happen.
Due to the angle of each section, when it hits the table, it pulls the other side which is attached through the cable to the next section. The angular energy is transfered each time one side hits the table.
This effect is not enough to explain the phenomenon, the fact that the ladder's mass is effectively decreasing when met with the table explains, with consideration to energy and momentum, the change of velocity
As each rung hits the bottom, it creates a small moment of inertia (rotation) because one end of the rung lands first and then bounces up. When that end bounces up, it causes a slight downward tug on the other end (the side with the short string), which is still taut. This additional force causes a slightly greater acceleration to the free-falling object above.
The angled rungs are the key to this. As a rung contacts a surface a rotational force happens to that rung causing the free end to tug harder on it's rope. The ladder that hits first begins this repeating cycle of tugging first thus completing the cycle first, dragging the last of the ladder down first.
@@robertlee6409 yes, it does - as the first lowest rung hits the table it tugs the rope pulling the next one down faster then the next then the next etc
You have a force which one is generated from the Impact, this force is transferred through the impact of the rods thus creating a " pull" on the strings, contracting the ladder faster.
This happens because each rung on the ladder is tilted. As each rung hits the table it pulls the string it's attached to downward a bit, causing the ladder to fall faster.
Because every time a rung hits the table it wants to fall flat converting a tiny bit of its kinetic energy into torque yanking on the string. Do it with all flat steps and they will go at the same speed. But every time a rung collides with the table and rotates to be horizontal at last, you can see how there is a pull on the opposite string.
The thing to point out is that the ladder rungs are angled. Once the angled ladder rungs hit the table there is a pulling action that takes place when one side of the rung hits, and the other side is pulled down because of the impact. This causes the rope of the latter on the left side to be pulled down faster.
@@rangerstyleisme If the rungs are straight then there's no torque (twisting force) being generated when each rung hits the floor, so the fall rate will be unchanged.
The steps are not horizontal so when one end hits the table, it creates a rotation in it causing the opposite string to be pulled downwards and then same happens to other string on next step, causing the ladder hitting the table to fall faster.
I was thinking something like what is described here, it didnt take THAT much thought to be honest, but it would be cool if the reason was actually something else though.
There is a slight "pull down" effect due to the angle at which the beams hit the surface, almost like a "leverage" effect. You can observe the additional tension transferred on the opposite side to the first side that impacts the surface. That extra energy transfer is enough to compile into a visible acceleration on the left ladder. Also, as more links impact the surface, if you focus on the further (up) beams, you can see the effect of the pull-down that I'm referring to. There are other observable events, such as the energy of the impact and the " force of the bounce" being transferred to the other ladder links.
I think he is encouraging us to come up with the answer ourselves. It’s better to learn how to process information and solve a problem rather than just absorbing what we’re told.
When the lower part of the slanted rungs hit the table, it causes the lower side to bounce back up from the hit, which pulls the other side of the rung, the upper part with the shorter string, down faster, which is adding downward pull alternating side to side with the ladder on the left.
The key is that the steps are slanted. When one end of a rung hits the table, it rotates about its center of mass, putting tension in the cord on the opposite side.
You can see it when you look at the strings for the ladder on left. Every time a peg hits the table, it rotates around it's center of mass, tugging the opposite string down just a bit.
I was gonna say earlier point of entropic accelerant. The one that has to hit the floor will eventually experience the same acceleration. The same concept applies while acknowledging that all objects of this type will experience a similar event.
1. The rungs are at an angle 2. The lower end of a rung encounters a surface and starts acting like a pivot. 3. The rung now starts to act like a lever due to gravitational pull and pull the string connected to the top down. 4. The rest of the ladder accelerates faster due to extra force.
The one on the left stacks up , therefore there would be less space to fall from the top to the stacked chain ladder however on the right it falls to the table.
I also thought maybe the air resistance of the left ladder is reduced as it becomes shorter but it's probably negligible. Anyway this makes the most sense and probably the reason they aren't straight rungs to begin with.
It is because of the angled rungs. When the lower end of the rung hits the table, the rung pivots to level out. This applies a downward force on the string accelerating that side of the ladder down. This happens with each rung.
@@radenmirzagadingkandiawan8867 It's torque when considering the COG of each rung. When considering a lever arm, ie the end of the rod where the strings are attached, it is translated into a linear force in the form of tension along the string.
I’ve seen it in some science classes. They prof does an experiment at the end of class related to the next class topic and asks a question about why it happens so they will study and discuss next time
The spokes of the ladder are angled, which means that they get angular momentum imparted on them when they hit the floor, which in turn translates to a pull on the rope, adding to the acceleration.
Exactly. Right end of the spoke hits the ground first and gets pushed up. Left end of the spoke gets consequently pulled down pulling the string with it which in turn pulls the whole ladder down. And the same is repeated in each spoke (plus and minus some chaos as the spokes bounce against each other).
Only difference I see here is that the one ladder hits the table before the other. The process was started earlier. But of course the secret is in the shape of the ladder. If the ladder was straight normal, then they would reach at the same time. But they are slanted and with every low rung that hits the table they is a slight pull on the opposite end. Causing a ripple effect of slight pulls with ever rung that hits the table to end up slightly a head of the other ladder. I might even venture to say if the left ladder was slanted and the other one was straight and they hit the table at the same time we would get the same results. I'm not a scientist, just a total logical guess. I stand corrected.
The rungs are angled in an opposing pattern, so each rung that hits, ( on the one making contact with the table ) pulls the string of the higher end when it tries to level, causing it to gain not only momentum but an acceleration type of force from the rungs pulling and driving the ladder faster, working in tandem with gravity instead of only using gravity to drive the ladder to earth
As each rung hits the table with one end, the momentum causes the rung to rotate. That provides an additional downward force by the raised end of the rung.
Since the rungs are slanted when one side hits first, it creates a moment force which, in turn, causes the rope to be in tension. This happens at a slightly lesser magnitude in each rung.
The following arrangement is causing the bars to be pulled down faster on the table. 1. Those strings attached to the bars in such a way that the bars hang down tilting to approximately 10 degrees. So when one end of the bar hits the table, on the other end the shorter string is pulled down because of the impacting force going towards the other end of the bar with the shorter string.
the angled nature of the rungs creates a small tension in the short string each time it hits the table, it uses the reaction forces to pull it slightly after each impact, this adds up to a slightly faster overall descent
The ladder's steps are not parallel. And they have a specific pattern. When one step of the ladder hits the floor, it creates an unbalanced force on the step, which produces a torque that pulls the upcoming step downward. The addition of force, say torque in this case, helps the ladder's top cap fall faster than the freely falling ladder.
This is not correct. The key point is that the "effective mass" of the left ladder is not constant. If you get the equation of motion for both, the right one is just a normal free fall, the left one has a decreasing exponential term.
Because the center of mass of the one on the left changed. The cm of the 2 objects is still falling at the same velocity but by stopping the one on the left it's CM will go upper. (Sorry for my English)
Okay , Here is my Attempted Educated guess : short answer : The increased acceleration comes from the gravitational potential energy turned into kinetic energy which works only in the special case of the ladder steps being in the way they are in the video . Details : The the special unparallel arrangement of the steps gives rise to an emergent property where parts of the surfaces of the step cylinder hit the ground at different times leading to acceleration of the other side of the step as a result of the effect of torque generated when the first side of the step hit the ground , this pulls the side of the step above and this effect compounds as more and more step hit the ground leading to the perception the last step falling with increased acceleration where the actually the acceleration is a step wise acceleration and not a continuous like gravitational but just smooth enough to trick the human eyes persistence of smoothness of acceleration / jerk /ms^-3 Experiment suitable for testing this hypothesis : a ladder with steps that are parallel to each other or any other falling linkage that doesn't share this special property. Experiment footage : this experiment too is on Dr. Andy Ruina's TH-cam Channel , a chain instead of angled ladder is falling (in the shorts section) Thought Process : This effect is too big for the literature to haven't already captured in case of this effect also being present in the case of normal ladders , so the peculiar arrangement must be the culprit here and to gain further leads , Dr. Andy Ruina's channel would probably be a good lead for more footage and experiments and it was but there was no explanation there . Have a nice day Arnab
The angled ladder rungs are forced to rotate around their center of mass when one end hits the table, this minor rotation slightly pulls on the cord on the adjacent end. So in sum a slight downward force along the cords is applied. In conclusion this only works if the rungs are angled like this.
Ahh I see so it’s pulling itself down basically, so if the rungs were horizontal, the one on the right would fall quicker right? Cuz of greater potential energy?
The diagonal rods hitting the table push up on the rod, but the center of mass of that rod is in the middle so it’s pulling down on the opposite side just a little bit. This could be just a 10th of a percent but you had all the wrong together and it’ll fall just a few percent faster.
Due to the ladder's angled orientation, the first step rotates about the point of contact with the table as it hits it, pulling the upper ladder slightly with it. The second step then does the same, causing the ladder to be pulled slightly with each step as it make contact with the table.
It’s a “whiplash” effect. As the lower end of each slanted rung contacts the table it becomes a pivot point. The energy transfers to the opposite end of the rung giving a tug on the rope accelerating the fall of the ladder.
ah so basically the slanted rungs act as lever pulling the upper rung down increasing the amount of energy transferred with each rung that hits the table/lower rung.
@@NoExceptions109 .. the scientific explanation relates to inertia and momentum > each rung has a centre of gravity > during free-fall the impact with the table surface transfers momentum to the slanted rung that gains rotational inertia (during free-fall the strings have no tension) however, the rotational inertia causes tension in the string connected to the next rung which impacts with the table. The addition of these forces (through string tension) slightly accelerates the falling system of rungs. Momentum is conserved throughout - counterintuitively the table impact transfers potential energy into kinetic energy, some of which is used to accelerate the remaining rungs at faster than free-fall velocity.
I believe it's from horizontal tension in the rope that causes a pivot inside the holes in the wood. Causes some pieces to accelerate. What is the answer?
I think it’s because the ladder “sticks” are angled. When they hit the ground, one side hits first, meaning that for a short time, the other side continues falling, pulling down the rope more each time. Sorry if I explained badly. It’s difficult for me to explain this through text (if anyone actually reads this).
The rungs are tied together. As each rung hits, the rope that connects them is displaced. Creating a small tug of downward force. This causes the next rung to fall a little faster. Which in turn causes a compounding domino effect with each rung that follows. Increasing the rate at which the remaining parts of the ladder fall. Making the object fall faster.
Yeah, but presumably, the same thing happens when the other ladder hits the floor, no? So I would think it must also have something to do with the fact that it’s a shorter distance travelled to the table than to the floor.
@@mystun3 Nope. You can see the top step of the left ladder gets ahead of the top step of the right ladder, which can't be explained by the rest of them hitting the bottom steps sooner
Back in my day people were able to read and the attention span was long enough to go up to comment number 2... Also this channel wants you to think for yourself, which clearly you didnt learn "back in your days"
I had found myself in a peculiar situation where the lower rungs of a ladder seemed to defy gravity, keeping me suspended in the air as if moving in a direction opposite to free fall. However, should something strike the bottom of the ladder and remove its support, I would experience a sudden acceleration in my descent. Give it a try: falling without the aid of a ladder results in a faster descent compared to remaining seated on it.
Because the step is at an angle when it comes to a stop, there is a torque which always pulls down the shorter end of the rope, thus adding a small net downward force on the falling pieces
The drop distance is shorter for the one on the table. No need for all that. The fall speed is the same it's the FALL distance that makes the difference
(spoiler alert) when the lower side of each (uneven) rung hits the table first, it bounces back upwards causing an uneven force and rotation of the rung. This causes the higher side to tug downwards a bit on the rest of the ladder (you can see it in the video but only barely)
if u watch all the sticks of the left ladder when one hits the ground you can litterally see them pulling down on one side at a time creating some pull
I think it is because the rungs of the ladder are angled. If you look at the very first rung that hits the table, the side that hits first adds a lever force that pulls the other higher side of the ring down. This pulls the long string taught and makes the overall ladder fall faster. I bet with a longer ladder the effect becomes more pronounced.
Every time the low end of a rod hits the table it gives a slight tug downward on the other end, transferring stopping force to downward force. This speeds up the velocity of a chain ladder.
regardless of downward velocity, two solid long objects with the same size and length, dropped at the same time at the same hieght, reached the ground, without a doubt, at same time, not faster nor slower from each other, over and over. If one of the stick like object#1 hit a floor or a table, it bounced back, while the other stick like object#2, move solidly streamlined or smoothly downward. However, an introduction of structural change in property, like the rungs on a ladder or short metal bars that form the steps but intentionally and alternately angled to the rope. This time, dropping down two air-gapped body of a rope ladder vulnerable to any slight air pressure, will definitely react differently upon hitting a table, unlike the previous hitting hard streamlined bouncing stick back and forth. Once the first rung hit the table: 1) it shorten the whole body length by same distance of each rung; and 2) it pulls the next rung by half the force and bounced half the force back. So inch by inch, the body length shorten as it continually fall a little bit faster.
Take note of the tilted rods. The ladder on the left is hitting the surface with (X) energy and bounces back up with 1/2 (X) (newton’s 3rd law). Since the string just folds it does not slow the ladder. But, when the rod goes down on the other side (centrifugal force) due to the tilt in the rod. it pulls the ladder down on fully extended strings. It isn’t much , but still enough to quicken the fall.
There's nothing more eerie than a science TH-camr asking a question and then not answering it. Edit: some of you seem to not understand that this was a joke. science youtubers usually follow up a question with a direct explanation. this video simply reminded me of the video where Michael says "Hey! Vsauce! Michael here! where are your fingers..."
Especially question that breaks our understanding of basic physics That might left us questioning our life. Was the entirety of it a lie? Are we living in the matrix? Now you hear the wall scrapes itself. Void on the end of the hallway calls. You know the secret you aren't supposed to know. Now you pay the price.
Each consecutive rod is supported by the one above it, thus enacting an equal downward pulling force on the one above a given rod. It’s under tension equally across both sides. The rods that land on the table enact an additional downward pulling force onto the one above them as their lower end hits the table, this causes the higher end to bear more weight- as it remains in tension. On an individual basis this force is minute, given the duration of this event, as well as the weight being supported by the table. This force, compounded across all of them, pulls it down faster than the other, which lands on the floor.
I just thought it was drag time, but your answer fits better. It must be because the design of the ladders like you said, though the only way to find out would be another experiment with a non-retarded ladder design
an interesting observation. The rotational component is transferred instantaneously throughout the wood to pull on the rope, thus increasing the downward force beyond gravitation.
Ok I think I've got a solution. Since each rung of the ladder is angled, one side will hit before the other. Since we dont live in a perfectly absorbent world, the part of the ladder that hits first is going to want to bounce back up. This puts a slight rotational force around the center of the rung, pulling down the high side that has yet to hit the ground. This repeats for each rung in the ladder, slowly making it fall faster.
The “perfectly obsorbent world” bit is wrong. The most natural situation is a perfectly elastic world where energy is conserved and things bounce back up all the way.
Due to the string arrangements of the ladder, it causes tension in the string when ladder pieces get aligned horizontally when falling on the table adding more force along with gravity and causes it to fall faster than the one in free fall
The sticks are angled so when they hit the horizontal table they straighten out which in turn creates an angular torque tugging on the robs which drags the ladder faster
Because the surface of the left ladder that was in falling was gradually reduced meaning the friction with air was reduced as well. If this was in vacuum they would fall same.
The very first rung of the ladder starts the process once it hits the table. As the low end of the ladder rung hits, a force is imparted on the side with the shorter cable attached. The uppward force on the side that touches first imparts a downward force on the short side as it rotates around its center of gravity. This “pulls” the lower side of the rung above it down faster thus marginally multipling the force.
I was thinking less drag considering theres not much air to displace on th table while the other ladder is experiencing more drag. But your explaination sounds fairly accurate
My guess is that because the rungs aren’t parallel, when the first one hit the surface, it caused it to torque thus pulling on the opposite end. This tugged a little on the rest of the ladders and repeats every time a rung hits the surface. The tiny tugs compound until the difference is very visible. That’s my answer when looking at it on a per element basis. The math becomes a bit confusing when trying to analyze the system as a whole
The sides with the elevated ends pull downwards slightly every time the other lower end strikes the surface. This causes the ladder to accelerate downwards at a faster rate.
lol nice try but landing would stop the pulling motion. It has to do with the left side no longer experiencing air resistance as it falls. Just like a car following another in a slip stream
The rods are arranged in an alternating diagonal position and held together by a rope. When the first rod hits the table, because it is in a diagonal position, the lower end hits the table first. When that happens the lower will bounce upward and since the rod is a rigid object, the opposite end will have to go downward but since it is tied up by a string, it cannot go downward and so it pulls the string slightly. The same thing happens to the next rod: the lower end hits the table and bounces up, the opposite end wants to go downward but can't and so it pulls on the rope. Over time, this slight pull adds up to make the ladder appear to fall faster when in reality, it is because of the combined slight pulls of the rods.
I think it's because the steps of the ladder are slanted alternately The lower end hits the table and a small torque is applied over the lenth of the rod, and as the small string is completely extended, a downward force acts on the ladder, these small forces exerted each time accumulate and as a result the ladder falls faster
Here is your answer, The tension on the ropes on the right adds an equal and opposite force upwards decelerating the speed similar to that of a dropped slinky The one dropped on the table has that tension eliminated so only the downward force of gravity affects the lower rungs allowing for the lower sections to speed up
@@litechil4129 > similar to that of a dropped slinky I remember that video but I don't think it applies here since the whole thing is already at freefall
@@wlgrd7052To be fair it’s classic Veritasium, and served a purpose, to let you genuinely try to puzzle out the answer before you find it from someone else.
I theorize as a result of the bars hitting the table, the string that was acting as a rod in free fall has tension relieved. This combined with a shift in the overall ladder’s moment of inertia and the slight torque encountered by the angled bars hitting at different times results in a cg shift downward allowing the ladder to gain momentum and fall faster.
The answer is because each step is slanted slightly Hence when it hits the table it cause a torque which adds another perpendicular force with a component in the direction of the weight force
Plot twist: he has no idea why that happened and he's genuinely asking, hoping that someone tells him in the comment.
That would be a great plot twist
Lmao! I'm guessing conservation of momentum blah blah it gets smaller therefore faster
@@anteater555 Kinda how the inside of a disc spins faster than the outside? Seems reasonable to me!
@@3nertia that only makes sense if the ladders we at an angle like a disc, angular vs linear moment🤷♂️
@@mr.alandude3938 More to do with distance :)
For those wondering, you see how the rods are alternating diagonal? When the downward part of the bottom rod hits the table, it bounces up, pulling the other side of the rod, and therefore that rope, downwards. Rinse and repeat with every rod, all pulling slightly downwards on the ladder, and now it's falling faster than the other.
Yes you are corect
Thanks, this seems logical indeed
Yup you are right 👍
I'd like that comment, but it has 69 likes, I'm sorry.
Ty garvin is correct, although not articulate. Bro my thinking was also limited to Einstein's relative table-surface tapping step-rods' geometric gravity-center fulcrums just like you, until seeing Ty garvin's comment. Combine both of you with a small edit, and we have concise articulation.
Since everyone has a long and over-complicated answer:
- Ladder steps are angled.
- One side of the ladder step hits the floor first.
- Creates a torque (rotating force).
- Torque creates tension in the shorter string.
- The ladder falls slightly faster.
Looks logical to me.
And the fact that you can see the top of the ladder being pulled down.
If this were true shouldn't we see it bouncing back and forth from side to side as it gets near the table?
@@denske1272 Kinda... and if you look closely you can see ever so slightly see it
lol, nice try. You can see there's no tension in the strings because they compress and bend. I'd love to see your math though 🤣
@@denske1272 Not sure I understand what you mean, but the whole ladder remains reasonably stable because the force is not too strong and they alternate sides with each step that hits the floors, so you can't see very well the individual effect of each step, only the overall acceleration over the remaining falling ladder.
Dude just didnt explain. Thanks man
Since the rungs are angled, the table is causing them to flatten out, which pulls down on the rung above it. This alternates left to right, gradually speeding it up.
Edit: Never expected my comment to get so much attention. To elaborate a bit, one needs to understand that even the ladder on the right will speed up after it hits the ground, just like the one on the left. The only reason you see the difference is because the one on the left hit the table (higher ground) before the one on the right. Also, to better see the pulling effect, don't just watch the strings close to the table. Look closer to the top of the ladder, like two or three rungs from the top after the top comes into view. You can clearly see motion in the strings that is not seen in the ladder on the right.
i think your right, u can slightly see the ropes get pulled....
Wtf bro... Why can't I just believe in magic once. Here you come telling me facts.
@@bobbertee5945 lever on a string
Man some people are just stupid... You!
And because the one on the left impacts first, it speeds up FIRST not faster. By the time the last rung hits their going the same speed for both.
Basically, as each tilted steel rod falls, it bounces up a little on impact. This causes them to gain some torque that properls the other end downward faster. The taut string on that side allows that increase in speed to pull the ladder down slightly faster, while the non-taut longer string on the other end prevents the bounce from pushing the ladder up to slow it down.
Basically as the ladder stops weight is diminished mass is increased motion slightly increased
huh thats cool i guess but i dont see this paying the bills no disrespect your a very intelligent person
Air resistance has a role in this
your the man! I understood! makes perfect sence and is logical! you get a 10+
There is a simpler answer, the first one has to fall less then the other
The key thing is that the steps are angled in an altering pattern.
As a step hits the table, a rotating force is applied on the step and pulls the next step, and applies a rotating force in the other direction.
The interaction pulls all of the steps down every time a step hits a table.
That's why the left latter falls quicker.
yesss, this is probably the best explanation. Nice work, hope this gets more than 3 likes
I see it makes more sense now, thanks
i like it.
my thinking was that there was a set of oscillations generated from the initial rungs hitting the table, and these oscillations moved throughout the rope, tugging each rung closer together.
Repeat using parallel rungs. Bet the effect disappears
that would be my guess/assumption as well.
When the angled rings hit the table they exert a tiny accelerating force on one string, via angular momentum. When the next ring hits, it tugs a tiny bit on the other side string. So you get a series of tiny angular momentum tugs on the strings, adding to the g acceleration.
I was close enough I just said prolly due tension
As they stack on top of each other, the table height gets taller, making it end faster
so it wouldn't happen if the rings where straight?
@@MisterFinny well that's not quite it because if you look, the top rung of the l ladder is lower on the left side so if you remove the ladder pieces and even the table, that left side ladder will still hit the ground first. it because the rungs are angled, so if you look at the string on the opposite side of where the ladder hits it tugs on the string pulling it down slightly faster.
Exactly that. Thanks for you perspicacity.
The angled sticks ensure that tension transfer is not uniform at both edges in the next stick. This, in a way, generates torque, and this torque guarantees that the upcoming stick is pulled down faster. The pulling force accumulates and is most noticeable at the last stick.
You got it right my friend! The pull from the first 4 sticks accelerate the rate of the whole ladder.
This should have way more likes
Idk how I didn't realize this
Huh. And I even started wondering why the ladders were set up like that until he mentioned the table...
I'm going with this answer
On the left, when an end of a step ( the one closer to the table surface) hits the table, a rotational force is created on the opposite side of that step, and that force pulls the shorter string down.
That's what I was thinking, but I didn't phrase it so clearly in my head. Rung hits table, yanks string slightly, pulls ladder down slightly, compounding this creates the end result.
That actually makes a lot of sense
Thank you💯💯
100 percent correct bro
I cannot say it doesn't play a role, but we need to know the change of surface area and speed to say that it increased the speed of the one on the table.
Two added forces 1) when the diagonally oriented rungs hit the table the impact causes a rotational moment within the rung and thus causing each short string to pull taught and impart a tiny bit of extra downward force on the string above it to arrest the rotational moment, thus adding to the Net downward force. and 2) As each rung hits the table the string attached to the rung above it is now exerting a small but significant horizontal force on the rope, which can only be absorbed by the rung above it (an additional downward pull), and thereby the swinging and bending rope pieces each add a bit of redirected acceleration force to the system, causing the net vertical acceleration to be greater than just the force of gravity on the ladder.
But this happens for ropes and chains so I don't belive that is the answer
The steps are tilted, so once the lower side hits the table, it will act as a lever, pulling on the above step at the opposite side. Since the tilt is alternating, this extra pull will be alternating between left and right, so on average both sides get a little extra pull down.
Thanks. Another Veritasium video I just avoided watching!
Sounds legit
It won't matter since they're all in free fall and the lowest one cannot fall faster than free fall.
I believe the answer is the rotating force as some have mentioned in the comments. When the rod is rotating, the distance to the next rod is decreased which creates an additional force to gravity. The rod starts rotating when the first side hits the table, the rotating force stops being applied when the rod stops turning or the other side of the rod hits the table.
This is like what that last guy said, but I'm words I can understand ✊🏾
This is what I was thinking was possibly happening thanks for the explanation
The angled sticks are the key. The center of mass of each stick is in the middle. When the lower end of the stick hits, the center of mass keeps falling at the previous speed. That makes the stick rotate around the contact point, and the far end of the stick increases speed. The upper end of the stick moves down faster than it did previously, and it pulls on the rest of the ladder.
I think you have the right answer.
English please
@@yoomy11well when it hits the table it pulls the one above it down with it and the other one above that does the same thing
that makes sense, the shorter strings, they’re tight, they pulling ever so slightly from gravity and the weight of the stick
@@Yetta_ so just strings pulling strings pulling strings pulling strings?
Because the rungs are at an angle. Once they hit the table there’s a rebound effect that causes more tension on one side than the other. The tension yields a secondary “pulling” force that acts in conjunction with gravity, therefore speeding up the time it takes to hit the table which is higher than the other ladder.
Dang
Dang
Smort guy.
That makes sense now. Thanks
Damn it, you beat me to it.
You explained that problem beautifully!!👍👍👍
A key to this trick is the alternating slanted bars. One end of a bar hitting the table causes the other end to pull the short string due to the rotation around the center of gravity of the bar. The short string is pulled and in turn the next bar is pulled slightly. As a result, the ladder experiences more pull (downward force) compared with the other ladder.
Yo ur actually smart🧐
@@nicholasnau5522 Yes, that is true!
I was going to say the same thing but you have explained better 👍, and they can prove that by just removing the strings
OMG - what a load of horseshit! - take a physics course, please!!
Thank you for this
It's because the ladder has angled steps (planks).
When the planks hit the ground, only the tip of the plank makes contact with the table, causing the plank want to rotate around it's centre of mass (converting the planks normal momentum into angular momentum).
This causes the other end of the plank to also rotate around the centre of mass. But there's a string connecter to the plank above that, so it pulls down on the rope(gives a tugg and tension in the rope increases, all the way up to the top).
The next plank is angled the other way, so it's the other side that hits the table first.
So each time a plank falls, a downward tugg is given at the opposite end, alternating left and right.
These tuggs add additional acceleration to the planks that are still falling, in the same downward direction.
This
Ok
I agree with your answer but if the ladde's steps are at the same level then...
What explanation will you give ?
@@anantsrivastava1564You haven’t shown two ladders with even steps falling at different rates, so no explanation is necessary because as far as we know, it won’t happen.
@@siddharthshankarkarthik8239 lol
Due to the angle of each section, when it hits the table, it pulls the other side which is attached through the cable to the next section. The angular energy is transfered each time one side hits the table.
I think this guy got the right answer. This should be on the top comment.
🤯
Obs
That looks and sounds right to me, but then what was the purpose of the table in this demonstration?
This effect is not enough to explain the phenomenon, the fact that the ladder's mass is effectively decreasing when met with the table explains, with consideration to energy and momentum, the change of velocity
*”Why did that happened?”*
*-Hey VSauce Michale here, so the reason why…*
Due to each step being inclined, one side touch the table first pulling the string of opposite side due to inertia which accelerates the fall.
I was thinking air drag
I think this might be it indeed!
This legit was my EXACT explanation
this makes sense.
So you think if steps weren't at an angle that they would fall down at the same time or not.
🧠👌
As each rung hits the bottom, it creates a small moment of inertia (rotation) because one end of the rung lands first and then bounces up. When that end bounces up, it causes a slight downward tug on the other end (the side with the short string), which is still taut. This additional force causes a slightly greater acceleration to the free-falling object above.
Didn't think of this, sounds the rightest to my mind :)
Ah, well spotted. The rungs are clearly angled that way on purpose.
This was the comment that made me realise what those other nerds are saying thanks. my brain widened enough to comprehend the physics.
I ain't reading allat but we 🆙💯💯💯💯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Im too dumb to understand but cool explanation
The angled rungs are the key to this. As a rung contacts a surface a rotational force happens to that rung causing the free end to tug harder on it's rope. The ladder that hits first begins this repeating cycle of tugging first thus completing the cycle first, dragging the last of the ladder down first.
Yes
Very good explanation
Why would the ladder have such unlevel rungs? Is that part of the equation?
Yep
@@robertlee6409 yes, it does - as the first lowest rung hits the table it tugs the rope pulling the next one down faster then the next then the next etc
You have a force which one is generated from the Impact, this force is transferred through the impact of the rods thus creating a " pull" on the strings, contracting the ladder faster.
This happens because each rung on the ladder is tilted. As each rung hits the table it pulls the string it's attached to downward a bit, causing the ladder to fall faster.
It also makes it taller so when it touches the bar it counts as done, right?
That makes sense.
I think it's due to air friction slowing down the free falling ladder
That called jerk bro, physics
That’s a legit answer
Because every time a rung hits the table it wants to fall flat converting a tiny bit of its kinetic energy into torque yanking on the string. Do it with all flat steps and they will go at the same speed. But every time a rung collides with the table and rotates to be horizontal at last, you can see how there is a pull on the opposite string.
if they were horizontal would it be the same rate?
@@eastudio-K yes
That is wrong on many levels mate.
I think because the right one has more air resistance
Right answer collected less likes than no sense comments)
The thing to point out is that the ladder rungs are angled. Once the angled ladder rungs hit the table there is a pulling action that takes place when one side of the rung hits, and the other side is pulled down because of the impact. This causes the rope of the latter on the left side to be pulled down faster.
Sooo....if the rungs are straight and not angled.......will they still stay at the same rate?
@@rangerstyleisme If the rungs are straight then there's no torque (twisting force) being generated when each rung hits the floor, so the fall rate will be unchanged.
This is correct. But need animation so others can see. But if we play it slow motion, the reason is clearly visible to the naked eye.
I think even if the rungs are parallel to each other.. this acceleration will occur.
Thanks, I knew it had to be due to acceleration but not why...
Great, another thing I'm going to be thinking about at 3 am
The steps are not horizontal so when one end hits the table, it creates a rotation in it causing the opposite string to be pulled downwards and then same happens to other string on next step, causing the ladder hitting the table to fall faster.
Bless you, bro
Could not have said it better myself my good Sir.
I was about to say the reduced air friction. But u just saved my ass bro
I was thinking something like what is described here, it didnt take THAT much thought to be honest, but it would be cool if the reason was actually something else though.
Exactly...👌👌
There is a slight "pull down" effect due to the angle at which the beams hit the surface, almost like a "leverage" effect. You can observe the additional tension transferred on the opposite side to the first side that impacts the surface. That extra energy transfer is enough to compile into a visible acceleration on the left ladder. Also, as more links impact the surface, if you focus on the further (up) beams, you can see the effect of the pull-down that I'm referring to. There are other observable events, such as the energy of the impact and the " force of the bounce" being transferred to the other ladder links.
Thank you so much! I can sleep easy now haha
You got it right!
I would say pulling and drag, when it hit The table it actually removed the drag of elements at table's height
tldr: gravity pulls you down better when you're already on the ground
Oooooh clever! Now I see it and it's evident! Nice catch mate!
->Shows us a cool video
->Asks us why it happened
->Leaves without an answer
That’s a menace to society.
I think he is encouraging us to come up with the answer ourselves. It’s better to learn how to process information and solve a problem rather than just absorbing what we’re told.
Alpha
that’s how questions work
understanding the answer (physics) behind this requires an attention span greater than 60 seconds.
When the lower part of the slanted rungs hit the table, it causes the lower side to bounce back up from the hit, which pulls the other side of the rung, the upper part with the shorter string, down faster, which is adding downward pull alternating side to side with the ladder on the left.
Yes a reflection
The key is that the steps are slanted. When one end of a rung hits the table, it rotates about its center of mass, putting tension in the cord on the opposite side.
Damn i thought its just less air resistance due to less ladder being exposed
Dayum
Come on guys 😂
you explained that so well
Wow that’s where the extra energy comes from
You can see it when you look at the strings for the ladder on left. Every time a peg hits the table, it rotates around it's center of mass, tugging the opposite string down just a bit.
🙌🔥
This is Elon Musk:
Your the future uh... um.. science guy?
( I can’t think of a scientist right now)
@@shiri_uwu wat
I was gonna say earlier point of entropic accelerant. The one that has to hit the floor will eventually experience the same acceleration. The same concept applies while acknowledging that all objects of this type will experience a similar event.
1. The rungs are at an angle
2. The lower end of a rung encounters a surface and starts acting like a pivot.
3. The rung now starts to act like a lever due to gravitational pull and pull the string connected to the top down.
4. The rest of the ladder accelerates faster due to extra force.
you got there before me, this is exactly what I was thinking
Same thought!
Someone worded it far more eloquently then I could have but I'm happy I came to this conclusion.
Yeah!! Science BITCH!!!
YEAH i was about to say that! 😅
The one on the left stacks up , therefore there would be less space to fall from the top to the stacked chain ladder however on the right it falls to the table.
because, sticks are on angle and when a stick touches the table, it rotates generating tension in the small rope that pushes the next stick down too.
Hey that makes sense
I've Ben free from physics for 4 years and I've Ben brought back kicking and screaming because of this video if I want to math I'll play dnd
I also thought maybe the air resistance of the left ladder is reduced as it becomes shorter but it's probably negligible. Anyway this makes the most sense and probably the reason they aren't straight rungs to begin with.
@@RCmies wow, gd point too. U guys prolly do thought experiments n can figure out teleportation, time travel, etc, on paper.
@@kenreynolds8673 hi Ben
It is because of the angled rungs. When the lower end of the rung hits the table, the rung pivots to level out. This applies a downward force on the string accelerating that side of the ladder down. This happens with each rung.
We usually call it torque
agreed
@@radenmirzagadingkandiawan8867 It's torque when considering the COG of each rung. When considering a lever arm, ie the end of the rod where the strings are attached, it is translated into a linear force in the form of tension along the string.
Thanks, wish I didn’t have to go to the comment section for answers but you saved me a long dig through a heap of nonsense to find the truth.
Smart man.
Imagine if professor finishes the class like this with no answer, himself wondering answer to this question.
A class full of bright, thinking minds. That's how you lead innovation
I’ve seen it in some science classes. They prof does an experiment at the end of class related to the next class topic and asks a question about why it happens so they will study and discuss next time
It encourages thought. don't you think?
Philosophy classes are kinda like that
But that's what happened and that's why we have the answer today
This is an old Japanese proverb:
“Ascend the corporate ladder in time. Forcing your way up leaves you flat.”
The spokes of the ladder are angled, which means that they get angular momentum imparted on them when they hit the floor, which in turn translates to a pull on the rope, adding to the acceleration.
Good call
Yeah, pretty sure this is the right answer.
I was going to write this, but your choice of words was perfect.
Neat!
Exactly. Right end of the spoke hits the ground first and gets pushed up. Left end of the spoke gets consequently pulled down pulling the string with it which in turn pulls the whole ladder down. And the same is repeated in each spoke (plus and minus some chaos as the spokes bounce against each other).
Gonna need a ladder to recover from that cliffhanger.
😂😂😂😂
Nice
Don't you mean, "from that fall"?
Only difference I see here is that the one ladder hits the table before the other. The process was started earlier. But of course the secret is in the shape of the ladder. If the ladder was straight normal, then they would reach at the same time. But they are slanted and with every low rung that hits the table they is a slight pull on the opposite end. Causing a ripple effect of slight pulls with ever rung that hits the table to end up slightly a head of the other ladder. I might even venture to say if the left ladder was slanted and the other one was straight and they hit the table at the same time we would get the same results. I'm not a scientist, just a total logical guess. I stand corrected.
Dad joke level 💯
The rungs are angled in an opposing pattern, so each rung that hits, ( on the one making contact with the table ) pulls the string of the higher end when it tries to level, causing it to gain not only momentum but an acceleration type of force from the rungs pulling and driving the ladder faster, working in tandem with gravity instead of only using gravity to drive the ladder to earth
I was thinking it was pulling itself down from the vibration in the strings. Great eye and explanation
It seems to be converting part of its potential energy with the impacts into tiny forces that pull the strings alternatively.
Bingo
Indeed, if you look closely you can see the upper rungs begin to oscillate slightly from the impacts below.
I agree
As each rung hits the table with one end, the momentum causes the rung to rotate. That provides an additional downward force by the raised end of the rung.
Since the rungs are slanted when one side hits first, it creates a moment force which, in turn, causes the rope to be in tension. This happens at a slightly lesser magnitude in each rung.
nerd
@ColemanBergad bruh, I stay clappin cheeks n coppin' blue faces. Like my homie Ghandi said; disregard women, acquire currency. So hop off
Next. Try with non slanted
That makes so much sense i was really confused. Thanks for explaining it!
no just less air drag on the left.
The following arrangement is causing the bars to be pulled down faster on the table.
1. Those strings attached to the bars in such a way that the bars hang down tilting to approximately 10 degrees.
So when one end of the bar hits the table, on the other end the shorter string is pulled down because of the impacting force going towards the other end of the bar with the shorter string.
Got it man
This comment are the one who need the most likes. Not the one who question it more
BROTHER WOAH THANKYOU
The steps form small levers, pulling on the short side from the rebound force that hits first.
Thank you! was thinking about it
"It was me, Barry. I made them fall faster so you will fail your physics exam"
💀
Underrated
Lmao I’m dead
I did no such thing!
Shiz, every thing makes sense now
the angled nature of the rungs creates a small tension in the short string each time it hits the table, it uses the reaction forces to pull it slightly after each impact, this adds up to a slightly faster overall descent
The ladder's steps are not parallel. And they have a specific pattern. When one step of the ladder hits the floor, it creates an unbalanced force on the step, which produces a torque that pulls the upcoming step downward. The addition of force, say torque in this case, helps the ladder's top cap fall faster than the freely falling ladder.
I think you probably got it. I don't understand it really but I do very much enjoy physics.
Gotta love those moment arms.
Buah ole tus huevos bro gracias
This is not correct. The key point is that the "effective mass" of the left ladder is not constant. If you get the equation of motion for both, the right one is just a normal free fall, the left one has a decreasing exponential term.
I was thinking the same thing
"Alright, then. Keep your secrets"
😂
Because the center of mass of the one on the left changed.
The cm of the 2 objects is still falling at the same velocity but by stopping the one on the left it's CM will go upper. (Sorry for my English)
👌😂😂
@@pietrof6673 the center of mass will stay, but the hit on the table produce a momentum at the CoG
Okay , Here is my Attempted Educated guess :
short answer : The increased acceleration comes from the gravitational potential energy turned into kinetic energy which works only in the special case of the ladder steps being in the way they are in the video .
Details : The the special unparallel arrangement of the steps gives rise to an emergent property where parts of the surfaces of the step cylinder hit the ground at different times leading to acceleration of the other side of the step as a result of the effect of torque generated when the first side of the step hit the ground , this pulls the side of the step above and this effect compounds as more and more step hit the ground leading to the perception the last step falling with increased acceleration where the actually the acceleration is a step wise acceleration and not a continuous like gravitational but just smooth enough to trick the human eyes persistence of smoothness of acceleration / jerk /ms^-3
Experiment suitable for testing this hypothesis : a ladder with steps that are parallel to each other or any other falling linkage that doesn't share this special property.
Experiment footage :
this experiment too is on Dr. Andy Ruina's TH-cam Channel , a chain instead of angled ladder is falling (in the shorts section)
Thought Process : This effect is too big for the literature to haven't already captured in case of this effect also being present in the case of normal ladders , so the peculiar arrangement must be the culprit here and to gain further leads , Dr. Andy Ruina's channel would probably be a good lead for more footage and experiments and it was but there was no explanation there .
Have a nice day
Arnab
The angled ladder rungs are forced to rotate around their center of mass when one end hits the table, this minor rotation slightly pulls on the cord on the adjacent end. So in sum a slight downward force along the cords is applied.
In conclusion this only works if the rungs are angled like this.
I assumed that thanks for confirming
Ahh I see so it’s pulling itself down basically, so if the rungs were horizontal, the one on the right would fall quicker right? Cuz of greater potential energy?
Yea, could be the answer
yeah but why does the rotation is faster then the falling speed? how can it be faster then its own falling speed?
@@stinbray1120🧢
The diagonal rods hitting the table push up on the rod, but the center of mass of that rod is in the middle so it’s pulling down on the opposite side just a little bit. This could be just a 10th of a percent but you had all the wrong together and it’ll fall just a few percent faster.
Due to the ladder's angled orientation, the first step rotates about the point of contact with the table as it hits it, pulling the upper ladder slightly with it. The second step then does the same, causing the ladder to be pulled slightly with each step as it make contact with the table.
Good point. I thought reduced air resistance
@@oscarstenberg2745that was my thought as well. Maybe it's a combination of both
@@brettkowalski Hmmm.... Yes you can say that, but due to the shape of the ladder 🪜air resistance has the minimum effect, I think.
It is amazing that these explanations make their way to the top comments. I love veritasium, but this is some scummy clickbait
Thank you, brother! I was starting to doubt my Phisics
It’s a “whiplash” effect. As the lower end of each slanted rung contacts the table it becomes a pivot point. The energy transfers to the opposite end of the rung giving a tug on the rope accelerating the fall of the ladder.
@Tom Frain .. more precisely rotational inertia.
ah so basically the slanted rungs act as lever pulling the upper rung down increasing the amount of energy transferred with each rung that hits the table/lower rung.
@@NoExceptions109 .. the scientific explanation relates to inertia and momentum > each rung has a centre of gravity > during free-fall the impact with the table surface transfers momentum to the slanted rung that gains rotational inertia (during free-fall the strings have no tension) however, the rotational inertia causes tension in the string connected to the next rung which impacts with the table. The addition of these forces (through string tension) slightly accelerates the falling system of rungs. Momentum is conserved throughout - counterintuitively the table impact transfers potential energy into kinetic energy, some of which is used to accelerate the remaining rungs at faster than free-fall velocity.
As I thought, ty
Sigh. It's sad to see the likes in thousands for the joking comments while the true explanation gets a mere few hundred.
This is the only way man on TH-cam who's actually "just asking questions"
Confusing wording
@@brauljo I'm assuming you understood what he was trying to say though. Or do you need it explained to you?
I believe it's from horizontal tension in the rope that causes a pivot inside the holes in the wood. Causes some pieces to accelerate. What is the answer?
@@jeremiecoughenour1130 that’s a pretty good hypothesis
now say it again, but this time in english
this is what should be in those darn physics edits
I think it’s because the ladder “sticks” are angled. When they hit the ground, one side hits first, meaning that for a short time, the other side continues falling, pulling down the rope more each time. Sorry if I explained badly. It’s difficult for me to explain this through text (if anyone actually reads this).
Dude I understand what you meant bro
Same that’s a good hypothesis tho
@@joseayala6371 thanks bro
@@sharko5264 thanks
No, you articulated clearly, I was looking for this comment to put my thoughts into intelligible words
- defies physics
-refuses to elaborate
-disappears into the void
@Princess Azula it’s a joke 💀
@Princess Azula its a joke
Hey, a flat earther!
Hahahaha
@@marvinthemartian4044 can you prove it's round?
The rungs are tied together. As each rung hits, the rope that connects them is displaced. Creating a small tug of downward force. This causes the next rung to fall a little faster. Which in turn causes a compounding domino effect with each rung that follows. Increasing the rate at which the remaining parts of the ladder fall. Making the object fall faster.
Oh that's what I was going to say...
Yeah, but presumably, the same thing happens when the other ladder hits the floor, no? So I would think it must also have something to do with the fact that it’s a shorter distance travelled to the table than to the floor.
@@CivilizedWarrior the other ladder hasn't hit the floor
Common sense baby! 😂
He means when it does hit the floor. So in obvious terms yes the ladder that comes into contact with a surface first will technically be “faster.”
The energy the rung received for hitting a solid surface was projected through above rung falling like dominoes
With the strings being offset, as the lower side hits the surface, it pulls the opposite side down, thus adding just slightly more force.
I think it just takes less time to hit the next step in the ladder that's already hit the table
@@mystun3 Nope. You can see the top step of the left ladder gets ahead of the top step of the right ladder, which can't be explained by the rest of them hitting the bottom steps sooner
Correct answer
The added momentum, pulls the rest of the stairs, yes
Yep, that was my guess too.
"Now why did that happen?"
"I don't know, why did it happen?"
*Video ends*
"I guess we'll never know then"
So dislikes
"fine, keep your secrets"
edit: I just realized the original quote is actually "all right then, keep your secrets"
Reminded me of that kanye speecg
Question is if the table would of never been there would it have fallen in the same manner and not finished at the same time?
Well maybe if you smashed that like button and gave it a share you would find out…🤷🏻♂️
back in my days this kinds of shorts would actually give answers
Back in my day people were able to read and the attention span was long enough to go up to comment number 2... Also this channel wants you to think for yourself, which clearly you didnt learn "back in your days"
@@maxmustermann1533 bro how old are you
Probably to make people want to watch the full video?
Back in your day? Shorts? What. You mean last year?
@@TK0_23_ lmao yeah
Interacts, reflects, reflects again initiating a yank once the 3rd reflection hits
If the ladders falling, someone’s screwed.
Lol
I'm gonna take this conclusion and tell myself I made a scientific discovery today since they ended the video and didn't explain it... Lmao
I had found myself in a peculiar situation where the lower rungs of a ladder seemed to defy gravity, keeping me suspended in the air as if moving in a direction opposite to free fall. However, should something strike the bottom of the ladder and remove its support, I would experience a sudden acceleration in my descent.
Give it a try: falling without the aid of a ladder results in a faster descent compared to remaining seated on it.
And it’s you
Come here
😏
😂😂😂
Because the step is at an angle when it comes to a stop, there is a torque which always pulls down the shorter end of the rope, thus adding a small net downward force on the falling pieces
The drop distance is shorter for the one on the table. No need for all that. The fall speed is the same it's the FALL distance that makes the difference
you win. thanks
Yes! You can see the short string become tensioned as the other end of the ring contacts the table.
Yes. I came to the same conclusion.
@@swizzlekiddd2694 did you watch the vid to the end? The left on sped up and started falling faster
Maybe it's not about the ladders but the friends we made along the way .
NO IT’S LADDERS. NEED MORE LADDERS. GOTTA BUY MORE LADDERS. INVEST IN LADDERS!
@@CHCHA2384REVIVE THE LADDER ECONOMY
😂😂😂😂
@@noob_in_youtube842 Sure but I do it ladder.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
When the rungs tilt to become level with the table, they pull on the long side of the rope and pull the entire ladder down.
I especially liked the part where he explained why that happened
Well think about it
(spoiler alert) when the lower side of each (uneven) rung hits the table first, it bounces back upwards causing an uneven force and rotation of the rung. This causes the higher side to tug downwards a bit on the rest of the ladder (you can see it in the video but only barely)
Air resistance.
@@abstergo-animus 😂
if u watch all the sticks of the left ladder when one hits the ground you can litterally see them pulling down on one side at a time creating some pull
Imagine having this question at an exam, I cry.
Why not think?
I think I know why its just I don’t know how to explain it😂
Nevermind, Someone already explained it in another comment😂
I think it is because the rungs of the ladder are angled. If you look at the very first rung that hits the table, the side that hits first adds a lever force that pulls the other higher side of the ring down. This pulls the long string taught and makes the overall ladder fall faster. I bet with a longer ladder the effect becomes more pronounced.
@@enolopanr9820 well done sir, you’ve passed the exam! 👏 🥳 🎉
Every time the low end of a rod hits the table it gives a slight tug downward on the other end, transferring stopping force to downward force. This speeds up the velocity of a chain ladder.
this is answer is explained correctly in the most simplest of terminology
i thought the exact same thing, don't know if it's correct tho.
Yup
So if the rods were perfectly horizontal, they would fall at the same rate?
regardless of downward velocity, two solid long objects with the same size and length, dropped at the same time at the same hieght, reached the ground, without a doubt, at same time, not faster nor slower from each other, over and over. If one of the stick like object#1 hit a floor or a table, it bounced back, while the other stick like object#2, move solidly streamlined or smoothly downward.
However, an introduction of structural change in property, like the rungs on a ladder or short metal bars that form the steps but intentionally and alternately angled to the rope. This time, dropping down two air-gapped body of a rope ladder vulnerable to any slight air pressure, will definitely react differently upon hitting a table, unlike the previous hitting hard streamlined bouncing stick back and forth. Once the first rung hit the table: 1) it shorten the whole body length by same distance of each rung; and 2) it pulls the next rung by half the force and bounced half the force back. So inch by inch, the body length shorten as it continually fall a little bit faster.
I liked when people included explanations in their video
Take note of the tilted rods. The ladder on the left is hitting the surface with (X) energy and bounces back up with 1/2 (X) (newton’s 3rd law). Since the string just folds it does not slow the ladder. But, when the rod goes down on the other side (centrifugal force) due to the tilt in the rod. it pulls the ladder down on fully extended strings. It isn’t much , but still enough to quicken the fall.
That’s what I said five minutes ago! The dumb guy version! You can even see it when the first step hits the table
I better start reading newton's book.
This is a really great explanation for a dumbass like me thank you!!
That's the dumbest explanation I ever heard.
Exactly, thank you
Veritasiam shorts: the only place you find a question to all your answers.
There's nothing more eerie than a science TH-camr asking a question and then not answering it.
Edit: some of you seem to not understand that this was a joke. science youtubers usually follow up a question with a direct explanation. this video simply reminded me of the video where Michael says "Hey! Vsauce! Michael here! where are your fingers..."
🤭✔️
Right, scrolling for an answer. I love being shocked by science....I just like knowing the answer more.
I’m pretty sure he knows the answer. He’s asking you you stunod 😂
Especially question that breaks our understanding of basic physics
That might left us questioning our life. Was the entirety of it a lie?
Are we living in the matrix?
Now you hear the wall scrapes itself. Void on the end of the hallway calls. You know the secret you aren't supposed to know. Now you pay the price.
That mo fo!
The shock of the impact tugs down on the string a little, then the string starts to compress, giving a net gain in speed (not a lot but adds up)
Each consecutive rod is supported by the one above it, thus enacting an equal downward pulling force on the one above a given rod. It’s under tension equally across both sides. The rods that land on the table enact an additional downward pulling force onto the one above them as their lower end hits the table, this causes the higher end to bear more weight- as it remains in tension. On an individual basis this force is minute, given the duration of this event, as well as the weight being supported by the table. This force, compounded across all of them, pulls it down faster than the other, which lands on the floor.
you have a sexy brain.
I wasn't actually expecting an answer when I checked the comments for one. Thank you
Nice responce
I just thought it was drag time, but your answer fits better. It must be because the design of the ladders like you said, though the only way to find out would be another experiment with a non-retarded ladder design
Thank you dude. Everyone else was just complaining that no one answered it and not giving an explanation
Bro is asking us to do his physics homework 💀
😂
Bro got his phone on the physics test 💀
😂😂
💀💀💀
@@AC-hk6gb brooo 💀
"Now what happened? - video ends
Me: wha-wait! Isn't that your job?!
I feel ya 😂😂
Lol man, you are thinking the exact thing that I’m thinking about
😂😂😂even me
You are right
he asked, uai
an interesting observation. The rotational component is transferred instantaneously throughout the wood to pull on the rope, thus increasing the downward force beyond gravitation.
Ok I think I've got a solution. Since each rung of the ladder is angled, one side will hit before the other. Since we dont live in a perfectly absorbent world, the part of the ladder that hits first is going to want to bounce back up. This puts a slight rotational force around the center of the rung, pulling down the high side that has yet to hit the ground. This repeats for each rung in the ladder, slowly making it fall faster.
exactly
My thought exactly
Oh
Agreed. Each time a rung hits, the other side provides a little tub on the rest of the ladder.
The “perfectly obsorbent world” bit is wrong. The most natural situation is a perfectly elastic world where energy is conserved and things bounce back up all the way.
Due to the string arrangements of the ladder, it causes tension in the string when ladder pieces get aligned horizontally when falling on the table adding more force along with gravity and causes it to fall faster than the one in free fall
This creates a whole new force with tension. I like this explanation.
jepp this
gravity
Nice 👍
Except the tension is relieved on the ladder that hits the table, yet it falls faster. Nope.
The sticks are angled so when they hit the horizontal table they straighten out which in turn creates an angular torque tugging on the robs which drags the ladder faster
我同意 I agree
wat he said!
Yup
no
I agree 👍
Because the surface of the left ladder that was in falling was gradually reduced meaning the friction with air was reduced as well. If this was in vacuum they would fall same.
Nope, it's not related to air resistance. Watch the whole long format video.
The very first rung of the ladder starts the process once it hits the table. As the low end of the ladder rung hits, a force is imparted on the side with the shorter cable attached. The uppward force on the side that touches first imparts a downward force on the short side as it rotates around its center of gravity. This “pulls” the lower side of the rung above it down faster thus marginally multipling the force.
This seems like a reasonable analysis.
Something like that
I was thinking less drag considering theres not much air to displace on th table while the other ladder is experiencing more drag. But your explaination sounds fairly accurate
Exactly it. The ladder isn’t straight for a reason. If it was a normal ladder (with equal sides), they would most likely fall at the same rate
Stop giving him answer for his youtube homeworks
My guess is that because the rungs aren’t parallel, when the first one hit the surface, it caused it to torque thus pulling on the opposite end. This tugged a little on the rest of the ladders and repeats every time a rung hits the surface. The tiny tugs compound until the difference is very visible.
That’s my answer when looking at it on a per element basis. The math becomes a bit confusing when trying to analyze the system as a whole
It might be that because normal force is applied it falls faster idk it's confusing
If you look at the end you can kinda see that happening
That was my first thought as well. The side of the bar ends that have shorter rope, pulls on the bar/rope above it when hitting the parallel table.
You're correct. The energy is transferred to the chain on rung impact, pulling the rest faster
I think you
are...
...right.
if you look at one side for awhile, you can see slight tugs on ore or the other side.
The sides with the elevated ends pull downwards slightly every time the other lower end strikes the surface. This causes the ladder to accelerate downwards at a faster rate.
Thank you.
Its the reason the steps are crooked then
@@freakfilicon Yes, if they had been horizontal and hit the ground at the same time, there would be no jerking on alternating sides to speed it up.
lol nice try but landing would stop the pulling motion. It has to do with the left side no longer experiencing air resistance as it falls. Just like a car following another in a slip stream
@@apoc2500definitely not the answer lmfao
@@HeterosexuaIincorrect . Actually it's the opposite side that bounces upwards as it hits the ground that closes the gap faster each time
The rods are arranged in an alternating diagonal position and held together by a rope. When the first rod hits the table, because it is in a diagonal position, the lower end hits the table first. When that happens the lower will bounce upward and since the rod is a rigid object, the opposite end will have to go downward but since it is tied up by a string, it cannot go downward and so it pulls the string slightly. The same thing happens to the next rod: the lower end hits the table and bounces up, the opposite end wants to go downward but can't and so it pulls on the rope. Over time, this slight pull adds up to make the ladder appear to fall faster when in reality, it is because of the combined slight pulls of the rods.
I think it's because the steps of the ladder are slanted alternately
The lower end hits the table and a small torque is applied over the lenth of the rod, and as the small string is completely extended, a downward force acts on the ladder, these small forces exerted each time accumulate and as a result the ladder falls faster
Cool, kinda like orbital acceleration.
That’s what I think. The ladder is literally being pulled down
I came here to say the same thing, but you explained it much better than I would :)
I'm thinking that too... which is why we are probably wrong 😅👍🏻
So, if the steps were not slanted, but perfectly parallel to the ground, both ladders would fall at same time?
i guess I'll just hope the almighty algorithm hooks me up with part 2
Subscribe to make sure you get it.
@@MattTCfarmI am. Still nothing... lol
Here is your answer, The tension on the ropes on the right adds an equal and opposite force upwards decelerating the speed similar to that of a dropped slinky
The one dropped on the table has that tension eliminated so only the downward force of gravity affects the lower rungs allowing for the lower sections to speed up
That’s what the subscribe button is for
@@litechil4129
> similar to that of a dropped slinky
I remember that video but I don't think it applies here since the whole thing is already at freefall
vsauce doesn’t leave us hanging in his shorts
Bro this is veritasium
@@Happymaxiehis point exactly. Veritasium leaves us hanging, vsauce don't
@@wlgrd7052To be fair it’s classic Veritasium, and served a purpose, to let you genuinely try to puzzle out the answer before you find it from someone else.
@@wlgrd7052 yep, exactly.
phrasing
The tension produced on the short cable every time one step hit the table is added to the gravitational force
Bro gave us homework 💀
No reply
Its like as simple as the most simple laws of physics. Idk what you mean by homework tbh🫵😮💨👉🧠🗑️
@@cybersoda1864 ur so cool i wish i could be like you😂😂😂
@@mbentley06bruh😂 I mean what does he expect as a response
@@jamilkamaly8452 obviously a nobel prize, we're talking about Einstein here man
Just out of screen shot, Wile E Coyote is running up the ladder
This is genuinely the funniest comment I've seen
Wile E?
@@everythingisvision Still sold the effect, I got the visual.
@@everythingisvision The spelling doesn't look right, but I searched it up and that's what I found
Vsauce doesn't leave us cliffhangers.
EXACTLY
You made my day
Michael would love this comment
underrated comment
Vsauce will purposely make a cliffhanger video after reading your comment just to spite you.
I theorize as a result of the bars hitting the table, the string that was acting as a rod in free fall has tension relieved. This combined with a shift in the overall ladder’s moment of inertia and the slight torque encountered by the angled bars hitting at different times results in a cg shift downward allowing the ladder to gain momentum and fall faster.
The staggered rungs hitting the ground send an impulse of tension up to the above ladders, and so on as each rung makes contact
This confused me until I realized I was looking at the wrong end by focusing on the middle. I was focused on the rungs being sloped not the connection
BRILLIANT!!
@@benphillips66 no
Exactly.
As the angled rung hits, there is a “tug” from the end that is more upward to the rung above. This pulling it down a bit.
@@Totaro17 yes thank you
The answer is because each step is slanted slightly
Hence when it hits the table it cause a torque which adds another perpendicular force with a component in the direction of the weight force
Perpendicular to the rods and parallel with the string as it hits the table. Parallel with gravity at that point.
yeah torque occurred and pull it towards the table. simple physics
And may air resistance
"🤓👆"
Well done.
**Drops ladders**
"Why did that happen? 🤔"
**refuses to elaborate**
Time banditry
GIGACHAD
He's literally asking, lol
*video ends*
*leaves*
*never seen since sunday the 15th of January 2023*
Lol when one bangs table it yanks chain down. Shrug
He wasn’t gonna tell us, he’s genuinely asking
"Now why did that happen"
" I DON'T KNOW I THOUGHT YOU'D EXPLAIN!!!!!!!"
Guess he wanted to know?
Why are you screaming
Narrator:"Now why did that happen?"
Staff:"I don't know that wasn't in the script."
Her asks, he doesn't know.
plz explain I neeeeed an answer