Resistive method for measuring the disintegration speed of Prince Rupert's drops

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple resistive electrical method to measure the disintegration speed of Prince Rupert's drops, providing an accessible alternative to high-speed cameras for educational and research purposes.

Contribution

The study presents a novel, cost-effective electrical technique for measuring disintegration speed, validated against theoretical predictions and existing data.

Findings

Method yields accurate disintegration speed measurements

Results agree with theoretical models and previous data

Setup is suitable for educational use due to low cost

Abstract

We have successfully applied the resistance grid technique to measure the disintegration speed in special type of glass objects, widely known as Prince Rupert's drops. We use a digital oscilloscope and a simple electrical circuit, glued to the surface of the drops, to detect the voltage changes, corresponding to the breaks in the specific parts of the drops. The results obtained using this method are in good qualitative and quantitative agreement with theoretical predictions and previously published data. Moreover, the proposed experimental setup doesn't include any expensive equipment (such as a high-speed camera) and can therefore be widely used in high schools and universities.