Viral: YouTuber rents helicopter to answer a debated physics question

Derek Muller, a YouTuber recently rented a helicopter to find the solution to a 2014 Physics Olympiad question. Does he find out the answer? Read to find out.

YouTuber finds the solution to a physics exam question

Math and Physics exam questions usually come with hypothetical questions that involve various modes of transportation. Although, not everyone experiences the scenario before answering the question. But, this YouTuber decided to take things t new heights by renting a helicopter to answer a physics exam question.

Dr. Derek Muller, the owner of Veritasium, a YouTube channel rented a helicopter to find the answer to a physics question from the 2014 Physics Olympiad. “The story of a controversial physics question on the qualifying exam for the 2014 US Physics Olympiad team. How does a uniform cable beneath a helicopter hang?” asked Muller.

More on the helicopter question

The question “A helicopter is flying horizontally at a constant speed. A perfectly flexible uniform cable is suspended beneath the helicopter. Air friction on the cable is not negligible. Which of the following diagrams best shows the shape of the cable as the helicopter flies through the air to the right?” is definitely interesting.

However, since there was a question on what the correct answer was, Muller took things up a notch instead of using imagination, books, and writing tools. Muller bagged a sponsorship deal and took up the task of testing out the scenario to end the debate. In the viral YouTube video, Muller is seen dropping a 20-pound kettlebell from the chopper to see how it flies. However, after experimenting, he came to the conclusion that option D was the correct answer.

Muller clarifies the Physics doubt

Additionally, to clear doubts, he attached a flag at the end, an almost weightless object. He also lowered a bagged parachute to see how the answer changes. Hence, he concluded that the answer can change depending on the object attached to the dangling cable. “You could get answer B, C, or D,” said Muller.

As per the solutions on the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)’s official website, “since there is air friction on the cable, then there must be a horizontal component to the force where the cable attaches to the helicopter.” While people are happy to get the answer, everyone is not pleased with the scary endeavor.

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