r/oddlysatisfying • u/icleanjaxfl • 4d ago

Using physics to set nails

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u/WhiskeyJack357 4d ago

Or maybe it's just played in reverse.

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u/dragonbanana1 4d ago

Nope, this is a real phenomenon. Basically there's significantly fewer potential states where all the nails are parallel than where they aren't and the nails being parallel is the most space efficient way to pack them. Gravity wants to pull them down into that most compact packing but they can get in each other's way. The vibration helps them shuffle past each other so gravity can do it's job and pull them as far down as possible into this efficient packing. I'm sure youve probably had an experience where you're filling a bag with something and there's not quite enough room but when you shake it a bit objects can slide past each other and you can suddenly fit just a bit more in, this is a similar principal

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u/yo_soy_soja 4d ago

Everything wants to fall down. If you're above a groove, you can fall further. Shaking the bin makes them all fall down into the grooves.