The crack of a whip is a small sonic boom caused by the uncoiling of the loop during whipping. Whipcracking originated in Bavaria and is still used in traditional music, while today it is a performance art, competitive sport, and popular pastime.
The serious-sounding crack generated when a whip is struck sharply is, in effect, a small sonic boom. The tip of the whip, known as the “cracker,” was thought to be the source of the menacing crack, used historically as a means of attracting the attention of livestock and, in some cruel applications, unfortunate humans. However, since then, researchers have determined that it’s the uncoiling of the ring during the whipping action that makes the clicking noise and gets your attention. of sound and creates a sonic boom,” wrote University of Arizona researcher Alain Goriely in the scientific journal Physical Review Letters. Although some parts of the whip, including the tip, travel at higher speeds, “it’s the loop itself that generates the sonic boom.”
Cracking the whip, then and now:
Whipcracking originated among the Germanic peoples of Bavaria and various Alpine areas of Austria and Hungary. This tradition is still part of Bavarian culture and is sometimes used in traditional musical performances.
In centuries past, Bavarian carriage drivers used elaborate whiplash sequences to signal their approach. The particular cadences identified the approaching coach.
Today, whiplash is more of a performance art. It’s a fun display activity at rodeos in the US, a competitive sport in Australia and an increasingly popular pastime in the UK.
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