Belts made of soft material which are flexible while at rest, in this case a chain made of metal links, can become quite rigid, independent of their shape, when their tangential velocity is sufficiently large. This phenomenon is called "dynamic stability". Through the radial forces the chain stiffens, and after it gets thrown off the toothed wheel, it roles along the floor, jumps over a wooden beam, and collapses into its shapeless form only after coming to rest on the rug after colliding with the wall. It is clearly seen how the stiff chain deforms somewhat as it hits the beam. Note also how long the chain continues to rotate on the rug near the end of the experiment, before it finally comes to rest and collapses. |