Bottle flipping
Water bottle flipping is an activity that became an international trend in 2016.[1][2][3][4] American adolescents predominantly participate in the fad, but its popularity has spanned across different age groups and nationalities.[1][2][3][4] Because it has been considered a distraction, especially the repetitive thuds of multiple attempts, parents and teachers have expressed frustration at its popularity.[2][4][5] In fact, it has been even banned at many schools around the world.[1][2][3][4][5] It is oftentimes performed with disposable plastic water bottles, due to their availability, but other containers are often used as well.[2][3] In Sweden, for example, reusable sports water bottles are more common, but can break.[2] The complex physics behind the activity incorporates concepts of fluid dynamics, angular momentum, and gravity.[1][6]
The origins of the trend can be traced to a 2016 viral video of teenager Mike Senatore flipping a water bottle at a talent show at Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte, North Carolina.[1][7][8][4][9] The teen had started flipping water bottles the year prior in his chemistry class, and mastered the trick.[8] After his performance, the recorded video became an overnight viral success, and the trend spread across the United States, then the rest of the world.[8]
To perform the feat traditionally, one takes a water bottle that is partially empty and holds it at the top.[7][1] Force is applied with a flick, with the bottom rotating away from the participant.[1][7] If performed successfully, the bottle will land on its bottom.[1][7][8] The amount of fluid in the bottle greatly influences the success of the feat, and it has been empirically shown that filling the bottle about one-third of the way improves the rate of success.[7][1] Also, the type of water bottle plays a role; for instance, the brand Deer Park Spring Water has been noted to make the task easier due to its unique hourglass shape with a third divot.[8]
Although the aforementioned method represents the traditional approach of water bottle flipping, a wide array of creative variants have been exhibited on the Internet.[1] One example is capping, where one flips a bottle so it lands on its cap.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Arnett, Dugan; Rao, Sonia (2016-09-30). "Bottle flipping becomes the rage with middle schoolers". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
- ^ a b c d e f Tate, Allison Slater (2016-10-06). "Why water bottle flipping craze is getting on parents' last nerves". TODAY.com. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
- ^ a b c d Picard, Caroline (2016-10-06). "Water Bottle Flipping - Bottle Flip Challenge Drives Parents Crazy". Good Housekeeping. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
- ^ a b c d e Becker, Hollee Actman (2016-10-04). "Bottle Flipping Is Annoying Parents Everywhere". Parents. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
- ^ a b "'Bottle flipping' craze takes over internet and gets banned in schools". The Independent. 2016-10-05. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
- ^ Rosenblat, Josh (2016-05-26). "The complex physics of that viral water bottle trick, explained". Vox. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
- ^ a b c d e Matthews, David (2016-05-26). "Here's How to Perfect the Water Bottle Flip, the Teen Meme of the Moment". Fusion. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
- ^ a b c d e Jones, Jonathan (2016-05-25). "Seen water bottle-flipping guy's viral video? He shares secret to trick". charlotteobserver. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
- ^ McDermott, Maeve (2016-05-26). "Watch the simple water bottle flip that dominated this teen's talent show". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
External links
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