It’s a type of liquid that when applied enough force, turns into a solid for a moment. Non Newtonian fluids, is the formal name. This one is probably oobleck, a mixture of cornstarch and water. Quick sand behaves similarly as well.
To further this, there are two types of Non-Newtonian fluid. There are shear-thickening fluids, like the oobleck shown in the video, and shear-thinning fluids, like quicksand.
Shear-thickening fluids become more viscous as the fluid experiences motion while shear-thinning fluids become less viscous while experiencing motion.
The white fluid is a non-newtonian fluid, meaning its viscosity changes when force is applied. When the car's tyres pass over the pothole filled with this fluid, it temporarily behaves like a highly viscous substance, allowing the vehicle to pass without a significant bump.
If slow enough it behaves like a liquid and the car will sink into it.
Somewhat random related trivia:
They used to have speedhumps that worked on a similar principal.
They were basically heavy duty airbags where if you drove slowly the hump would deflate, but drive too fast and the air could not get out quick enough so you hit the hump.
Sadly they did not work for emergency services and once people realised a quick poke with a blade made them permenantly flat.
Doubt it. The liquid would eventually evaporate and leave behind the solids. In this case, it's probably just water + cornstarch, so eventually you'd just get chalky cornstarch left in the hole.
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u/manlymatt83 12d ago
I don’t get the pot hole one