Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology studied the physics of a finger snap and determined how friction plays a critical role. Using high-speed imaging, automated image processing, and dynamic force sensors, the researchers analysed a variety of finger snaps. For an ordinary snap with bare fingers, the researchers measured maximal rotational velocities of 7,800 degrees per second and rotational accelerations of 1.6 million degrees per second squared. However, the snap acceleration is the fastest human angular acceleration yet measured, almost three times faster than the rotational acceleration of a professional baseball pitcher's arm. Optimum frictionReducing both the compressibility and friction of the skin make it a lot harder to build up enough force in your fingers to actually snap.

Source: The Hindu November 20, 2021 18:01 UTC