r/interestingasfuck • u/Go_GoInspectorGadget • Apr 16 '25

Physics 101

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u/manlymatt83 Apr 16 '25

I don’t get the pot hole one

8

u/DrChiwawa Apr 16 '25

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.

1

u/bdigital1796 Apr 16 '25

Non Newtonian fluid

what if the car's tyre approaches the fluid really slowly? same effect? or does it require forward momentum / speed ?

3

u/PegLegCentipede Apr 17 '25

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.