A glass drop with an Achilles heel

A Prince Rupert’s drop survives head impacts, then disintegrates when its tail breaks — Purdue Engineering. Six-second and eight-second scientific demonstration excerpts, with the original slow-motion label retained.

Whole Prince Rupert’s drops showing their thick heads and thin tails — Trevor Mahlmann / Purdue University research release.

This glass drop can survive hammer blows to its head. Break its thin tail, and the whole thing shatters.

It’s a Prince Rupert’s drop: rapid cooling locks huge stresses inside the glass.

Strength and fragility, in the same tiny object.

A Prince Rupert’s drop survives head impacts, then disintegrates when its tail breaks — Purdue Engineering. Six-second and eight-second scientific demonstration excerpts, with the original slow-motion label retained.
https://askpandi.com/media/editorial/curiosity-batch-two-2026-10-02/aaaac68aa005151f-rupert-impact-and-breakup.gif
Whole Prince Rupert’s drops showing their thick heads and thin tails — Trevor Mahlmann / Purdue University research release.
https://askpandi.com/media/editorial/curiosity-batch-two-2026-10-02/b9d6b16edbcf4af6-rupert-drops.jpg

A glass drop with an Achilles heel

Explore related topics