btw, a common misconception my aerodynamics professor pointed out to me: "The air on top of the wing has farther to go so it goes faster" is wrong. There is no principle forcing the air on the top and bottom of the wing to arrive at the tail end at the same time. Instead, the wing shape creates a different pressure gradient on the top than on the bottom, one that accelerates the flow to higher velocities. There is a net pressure difference (Bernoulli, as you said) between top and bottom and the wing creates lift.

@slotm001 "In layman's terms." I didn't think computing surface integrals and using del-operators was apropriate here.

Destin! How could you?! Explaining Bernoulli's Theorem as "the air on top has a greater distance to travel"?? Shocked! I am shocked!!! :)

The person who comes up with a microphone that is unperturbed by wind should win a Nobel Prize.

I *LOVE* the way this video starts.

At 0:45 your explanation of why the air over a wing flows faster than the air under the wing is incorrect. It has nothing to do with the top of the wing being longer and the air above having to travel a longer distance. The air will flow faster over a wing than underneath even if the wing is shaped like a flat board. The air above the wing actually flows so fast that it gets to the end of the wing before the air under the wing even though it travels a longer distance, which any careful observer can detect in a wind tunnel with puffs of smoke. In other words, they don't meet up like you would assume. Instead what's happening is that the angle of attack of the wing causes the air under the wing to "bunch up" and slow down and create a standing pressure wave below and in front of the wing. Meanwhile, the air over the wing is unencumbered by any pressure wave, and in fact hits a partial vacuum over the rear of the wing that it accelerates into. That vacuum is created by the wing forcing the air that was there downward beneath it as it travels through it. It's all in the angle of attack. Those who like the Bernoulli high flow = less pressure approach forget that what's really happening is that it is the airplane that is moving through what is typically a static volume of air, at least until the airplane gets there and disturbs it. Therefore you have to have an explanation that works from the POV of the static air as well as the moving airplane. You can't just assume that air over a wing always flows faster than air under a wing, because if the wing is still, then it doesn't. And you can't assume that the air above the wing will meet up with the air under the wing, because it doesn't, not can you try to simplify the explanation and let people assume that to be the case, because then you're misleading them. And you can't bring in the length of the wing being longer above and below, because that's irrelevant. Have I convinced you yet not to say that ever again? Good!

The A10 is so cool!

What did the A-10 say to the ground? "Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt"

@humpierey It depends on the control surface condition. Good question.

Never though I’d see a smarter every day video with less than a million views. You’ve come so far!!!

At first I thought the A-10 was and R/C Plane! Derp!

Making fun of Tom Cruise! Perfect!

@PNanna16 It's a mix really. This particular video was improvised. I remembered some stuff from my graduate Aerodynamics classes and figured it would make for a neat video. The trick is remembering everything exactly right because the internet is full of people who have instant access to wikipedia and a comment text box.

I think this may be my favorite episode 🥹 your kids are so cute and I love seeing you paddling with your friends.

I think this is the first SED video I found when I was looking for air vortecies on vehicles 4 years ago. And went on to the reverse steering bicycle, and boom, subbed.

Now if only they did the brrrrrrrrrt with the A10 Warthog. I just went back to watch this because of the new fuel injection video. Crazy how far you've come buddy. Well done and congrats on all of your success, you absolutely deserve it. God bless

@JDLupus It's a function of velocity, angle of attack, and many other parameters.

@sisk22 Devry. Majored in small engine repair and minored in Brain Surgery. I'm a Bama boy. Thanks for the compliments.

You need a TV show so you can be Billy Nye The Science Guy for a whole new generation. Keep up the good work, you always fascinate me!

Hi I'm from Maldives and I love and enjoy all of your science videos of smarter everyday! Keep posting

That jet that you first see is a warthog A-10, powerful things

I just graduated from Middle Tennessee State University and have been a flight instructor there for two years so. I was shocked to see an MT plane in this video at 1:44!

hashaha Destin, you are the man. Even with your awkwardness, you are exactly the type of man i hope to become.

0:33 and hear we see a magnificent pair of Cobras partaking in a rather captivating courtship ritual... Don't get too close though, these creatures are highly territorial and become quite aggressive during their mating season.

After watching a few more of your videos, I apologizing for trying to correct you. You clearly know what you are talking about. God Speed.

@FEAJramdomfilms It's called an "Engineer's Tan"

Videos like this make me proud to work on these machines, good lord I love aviation!

The sound of vortex shedding is incredible. These tornadoes coming off the wing and the sound of the air of the vortexes dance around you. I hope you capture that someday.

I have been a pilot for many years and this video answers a really big question, Thanks. Tom NU8G

I love that you bring “life” to “life” with science

Love that way you make us all smart. Got a funny story for you too. My sister came home years ago for Christmas as she lived in Plano, Tx back then. We went out for dinner and right in the middle of the meal she proclaimed to us all that we had the funniest way of talkin' up here in her best Texas twang. We all looked at her then each other, laughed and continued on with our meal. Nice to have a KZfaq window to your world. bye

the example with water at the end was a fantastic way to visualize the pressures and movement in the air! thank you very much; now i can use that to be extra nerdy with identifying and watching clouds! lol

I just learned all of this in my fluids class at my university. I enjoyed watching this all the same. Good video, Destin.

@Helicopterpilot16 Oh! You meant the paddle. I'll check it out.

Funny, I went canoeing yesterday for the first time ever, and noticed this. Today I got back, and now I know why it happens. Thanks, Destin!

I basically have an air show over my house every day. There is an airport for small planes near our house so we get to see heaps of old military planes, red barons and more

My dad was an IP so I knew about this. Great explanation though. You always do such a fantastic job. POST MORE VIDEOS

Project for this weekend- attach upturned swept ends to an old paddle, take kayak to the lake/river, drink beer, test modified old paddle against new paddle, more beer. Science!

Hey! I just subscribed after you were a featured video on Lifehacker for your poop splash video. I went back and watched some of your other videos and I have to say, this is looking like it will be one of my favorite YT channels. Thanks for doing what you do! I look forward to more in the future

Ahh, so THAT'S what causes it. One of the best examples of vortex shedding I've seen (prior to this video) is the "Angel of Death" image of an AC-130 gunship dropping flares. The smoke trails from the phosphorous flares get warped by the vortex and create this really cool-looking "angel wing" effect. If you Google Image search "angel of death ac-130" you'll see what I'm talking about. Great vid, great explanation, and the A-10 is such an awesome aircraft.

Destin, why not more videos of flying, GA airplanes and techniques for flying, navigation, etc? I see that you took flying lessons, I also and passed my written, and have been flying. The things I learned I thought were pretty interesting. So many cool things like flying a course with wind correction, 60:1 ratio for drift correction, calculating descent from a certain distance, ground speed vs. Airspeed, wind shear, I mean this should be right up your alley and you’ve already got a head start! Anyway glad I found your feed, great stuff!

That paddle gave a great visual of vortex shedding. Think you can find a way to explain and demonstrate induced drag and then, how unloading a wing allows an aircraft to accelerate at it's highest rate? I've got an aviation acquaintance that refuses to believe it. Thanks for all of the videos and knowledge sharing!

I'm 15 and in Boy Scouts, and I've often noticed the vortexes of the water from the paddle, but not known why it happened, I just got smarter, thanks

Airshow=sunburn. Great video Destin!

I too now know a rocket scientist and what vortex shedding is. Thanks Destin

I think my life would be complete if I could see an A-10.

An amazing video, this has to be one of the best channels on youtube. Thank you sir.

@1and0nlyJamesPadilla No. This is in Alabama.

Of course Destin would be kayaking in front of a hot air balloon festival. This guy is unstoppable.

from the perspective of 11 years in the future, Destin looks like a junior high school kid. 🙂 I've been watching airplanes since the 70's, and am still intrigued by how aircraft can generate a vortex from small surfaces sticking into the airflow.

This guy is the king of TIL.

That plane that had the wingtip swept up was from Middle Tenn State University which is where I'm goin next year. :D

you're living my version of the american dream dude. keep it up

Ah, now I understand the tipswings. Merry christmas !

Right when you made reference to the paddle, it made all the sense ^^.

@Helicopterpilot16 Well then...My graduate Aerodynamics professor currently employed by NASA has some explaining to do.

I think the hot air balloon festival is actually overlooking you in a canoe

Your vids are great as always. Totally makes learning fun and these are things that few people really ask about...few common people not in the science field I mean. Great job! Keep it up!

Nice video and i loved your sunburn xD

Your videos are amazing!! Keep them coming!

When you look at paddles for races, they are also formed to avoid these vortexes just like the Winglets on an airplane.

@Jwegs55 The GAU-8

"A-10 Warthog, That's where it's at." Heck yeah, buddy! Vvvvvvt..brrrrrrrt! Long live the A-10's!

@Bakamanzz Dude.... Space Camp is open to adults.

I don't know about your buddies, but to me this would make a kayaking trip even cooler!

The tip winglet phenom. is very cool. Go find the famous vids on C-130 infrared flare "Angel" smoke patterns. On some, the visible tip-vortex is attached inboard by many yards! The remaining wing gives negative lift. How to cause the vorticies to move outwards to the physical wing tip? Ahh, just add those winglets. Of course. It's all so simple.

I was at one airshow before, and there was a woman who flew up a red biplane, and got it at a stable level, then climbed out and stood up on top of the wings for a solid 15 seconds before climbing back in the plane

This video is almost a decade old, but I just noticed Destin linked to his favorite bidet in the description. Interesting.

Yes...er, I mean... Dang straight... what's it to yah?

a classic understatement

Son in kayak? Check. Next shot: no son in kayak. I hypothesized the son fell into the water,(i'm glad he was wearing a PFD) and my null hypothesis was proved correct when I heard kid voices in the other boat. Another video well done, my friend.

Would you be willing to do a follow up on the video of this? I have another idea that can be captured simultaneously with this that is slightly perplexing as to why it occurs.

I believe that may be the strongest argument for scientific literacy ever presented. "If you don't ask scientific questions of yourself, you'll go through life thinking Tom Cruise is cool." Fantastic.

That's gotta Falcon Field in Peachtree City GA. I was there, and go to that show every year!

I hope you enjoyed the jubilee! I saw at least 4 drones flying around when they shot the he fireworks. I wondered if you had any part of that... It was awesome.

Worth watching just to see the A-10. The rest is just cherry on top....if you like cherries. lol

hey dude, love all your videos. keep up the great work

dang it this is why I have so much fun when I mix my coffee with creamer with a spoon. Thanks my friend.

another awesome video . thanks destin .

You should do a part 2 about helical straking on cylindrical objects to disperse vortex shedding from wind. It's what brought down the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

You're getting your own tv show, i can just feel it.

Hahaha, love these videos; you have a great charisma!

Thanks for teaching us .

Destin - You might want to mention what the advantages are to getting rid of the vortex shedding with the wingtip design. I've heard that it uses less fuel, but I don't know why. Maybe less drag with a more efficient wing? We need DATA!

"Can you say hello?" "ewwo" me = Dies from cuteness overload

This is before Destin knew how to shield his microphone from the wind.

These are not examples of vortex shedding. The vortex at the wing tip is a stationary effect (no shedding). Vortex shedding is an oscillating flow.

@NeilPiersRobinson Lift is proportional to downwash off the wing's trailing edge. It happens this way because the inertial of air keeps it travelling downwards after it's passed the wing. This means there are two ways to create lift: 1)tilt the airfoil to produce downwash. 2) add "camber" or curve to the airfoil, humped up in the center so the trailing edge tilts downwards. To fly inverted, simply tilt the airfoil to a positive attack angle. It's easier w/symmetrical non-cambered wings.

I was half expecting when you asked why vortex shedding happens for him to say something like "JESUS!"

The Warthog and the Tomcat are my favorites

Your videos are AMAZING!

Look at Greenland style paddles. We paddle with a canted stroke to shed the vortex off one edge.

That is the same reason that rear spoilers on race cars have end plates so that they can try and prevent the air from spilling over.

Oh it reminds me when i was in high school and my physics teacher asked the whole class to explain how does the plane's wing works with the Bernoulli law as the final test. And I was the first who passed by explaining it with two hanging plastic balls. So proud lol.

Per NASA: lift is created by turning of air. Bernoulli's principle only explains SOME of the force of lift. "Lift occurs when a moving flow of gas is turned by a solid object."

Love your vids dude.

Dustin you got dome serious sunburn goggle lines going on there pal!

What an awesome dad!

nice Kenny Powers tan while describing wing shape at the air show.

my mind is blown. please get a tv show that is "smarter everyday" and you do one experiment per episode! it would be a combination of mythbusters and timewarp.