Bullets HITTING Bullets in Slow Motion - THE IMPOSSIBLE SHOT - Smarter Every Day 287

Destin from Smarter Every Day revisits an intriguing exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History: two Civil War bullets that collided nose-to-nose. Despite numerous failed attempts to replicate the phenomenon, Destin is determined to try using his engineering background and safety expertise. He emphasizes the importance of intellectual humility and safety in their experimental setup.

The team, consisting of Destin, Ernie, Jeremy Fielding, and David, approaches the bullet collision experiment with meticulous planning. They address the complexities of mechanical firearms, such as lock time and bullet dwell time, and opt for an electrical trigger system to control the timing. The guns are simplified to barrels with custom breach loaders designed by Jeremy. A detailed checklist and safety procedures are established, with input from experienced experts to ensure the experiment's integrity and safety.

The team conducts initial tests to ensure the guns' functionality and the smooth execution of their safety checklist. They use a high-speed camera to capture the bullets' trajectory and experiment with background colors for better visibility. After realizing the bullets' paths are slightly off, they make adjustments using a laser and continue to refine their approach.

Destin and David proceed with the experiment, experiencing a mix of excitement and tension. They successfully capture bullet collisions on camera, witnessing fragments from the impact. Despite the bullets exploding rather than fusing as in the Civil War example, the team is encouraged by their progress and continues to make adjustments to understand the phenomenon better.

Frustrated by inconsistent results, the team scrutinizes every variable, from gunpowder amounts to cartridge lengths. They hypothesize that a gap between the bullet and the riflings, as well as the powder's slump in longer cartridges, may cause inconsistent velocities. After identifying a moving nut on the elevation control as another variable, they make further adjustments and continue their quest for a bullet fusion.

The team captures stunning high-speed footage of the bullet collisions, revealing the dynamics of fragmentation and the tangent points defining the plane of impact. They experiment with different camera angles and bullet types, including hollow points and full metal jackets, leading to a near-perfect momentum transfer that excites them about the experiment's potential.

Despite not achieving a bullet fusion, the team explores the idea of firing slower bullets with less gunpowder to mimic terminal velocity. They also consider the need to change the metal composition for a successful fusion. In a surprising turn, they shoot various wallets made of Damascus steel, titanium, and aluminum, observing the bullets' interactions with these materials and even a partial fusion within an aluminum wallet.

Destin thanks the viewers and supporters, reflecting on the joy of conducting such experiments even beyond the context of internet video. He hints at ongoing ideas for future projects and encourages support on Patreon for those interested in the continuation of his work. Destin signs off with his signature phrase, 'You're getting Smarter Every Day,' leaving the audience intrigued and educated.