Slapping Chickens: How Hard Is Too Hard?

A question posted on the subreddit r/NoStupidQuestions sparked a viral meme and a quest for answers: If kinetic energy is converted into thermal energy, how hard do I have to slap a chicken to cook it? The answer, according to physics major Parker Ormonde, is that it would take 23,034 average slaps to cook a chicken, with a velocity of 3,725.95 mph. YouTuber Louis Weisz took on the challenge and, after many failed attempts, successfully cooked a chicken by slapping it.

The number of slaps needed to cook a chicken

It is technically possible to cook a chicken by slapping it. However, the number of slaps required depends on various factors, such as the speed of the slap, the weight of the chicken, and the temperature required for the chicken to be considered "cooked".

One source suggests that a single slap at a velocity of 1665.65 m/s or 3725.95 mph would be sufficient to cook a chicken. However, this would likely result in the chicken being obliterated and is, therefore, an impractical method.

Another source estimates that it would take 491,000 slaps to cook a chicken, assuming a very high slap speed. This estimate considers the change in thermal energy caused by the slap and assumes that half of the energy goes into the chicken and the other half into the hand.

A third source suggests that it would take 23,034 average slaps to cook a chicken, with each slap generating a temperature increase of 0.0089 degrees Celsius. This calculation assumes an average slap velocity of 11 m/s (25 mph) and a chicken weight of 1 kg.

It is important to note that slapping a chicken as a cooking method presents several challenges. Firstly, the chicken needs to be kept at the cooking temperature for a sustained period to ensure thorough cooking. Secondly, the chicken needs to be protected from breaking or being sprayed across the room due to the force of the slaps. Finally, there is a risk of injury to the person doing the slapping, as the hand may also reach cooking temperatures.

In conclusion, while it is theoretically possible to cook a chicken by slapping it, the number of slaps required is extremely high, and there are significant practical challenges to this method. Therefore, traditional cooking methods such as grilling, frying, or microwaving are far more practical and efficient ways to prepare a chicken for consumption.

The speed required to slap a chicken to cook it

To cook a chicken by slapping it, the chicken's temperature must be raised from room temperature, typically assumed to be 23°C or 25°C, to a minimum cooking temperature. The desired cooking temperature varies across sources, with suggestions ranging from 55°C to 74°C, or even as high as 205°C (400°F).

Calculations by Parker Ormonde, a physics major, estimated that an average slap generates a temperature increase of 0.0089° Celsius. Based on this, it would take 23,034 average-speed slaps to reach 205°C (400°F). This equates to a slap velocity of 11 m/s (25 mph) or 3,725.95 mph, which is a very high speed.

However, it is important to note that slapping a chicken at such high speeds would likely result in the chicken disintegrating before it cooks. Additionally, the slaps would need to be delivered in extremely quick succession to prevent the chicken from cooling down between slaps. Furthermore, at such high speeds, there is a risk of injuring your hand and arm in the process.

YouTuber Louis Weisz took on the challenge of cooking a chicken by slapping it and unveiled a chicken slapper machine. While he managed to raise the chicken's temperature, he also concluded that attempting to reach the desired cooking temperature through slapping would reduce the chicken to pulp.

In conclusion, while it may be theoretically possible to cook a chicken by slapping it at extremely high speeds, the challenges and risks associated with achieving and sustaining such speeds make it an impractical and unsafe method for cooking chicken.

The energy required to slap a chicken to cook it

The idea of cooking a chicken by slapping it has been floating around the internet for years, with people attempting to calculate the amount of energy required to do so. The question was first posed on Reddit, in the No Stupid Questions subreddit, where a physics major calculated the energy required to slap a chicken to cook it.

The physics major, Parker Ormonde, made a few assumptions to calculate the energy required. He assumed the average human hand weighs 0.4 kg, the average slap has a velocity of 11 m/s (25 mph), an average rotisserie chicken weighs 1 kg (2 lbs), and the chicken needs to reach 205°C (400°F) to be considered cooked. Using the formula for converting kinetic energy to thermal energy, 1/2mv^2=mc∆T, Ormonde calculated that it would take 23,034 average slaps to cook a chicken. This calculation assumes that each slap generates a temperature increase of 0.0089 degrees Celsius.

However, it is important to note that this number of slaps is assuming superhuman speed. As one source points out, the chicken would need to be slapped extremely quickly between slaps to prevent it from cooling down. Additionally, slapping a chicken hard enough to cook it would likely result in the chicken being pulverized and the slapper's hand being cooked.

While it may be possible to generate enough energy to cook a chicken by slapping it, the logistics and potential risks involved make it an impractical method for cooking.

The possibility of cooking a chicken by slapping it

The idea of cooking a chicken by slapping it has been a topic of discussion and experimentation for years, with people attempting to answer this unusual question through calculations, simulations, and even real-life trials. The question gained popularity through online platforms like Reddit, where users posed it as a physics problem, and it has since sparked a range of reactions and responses.

The fundamental principle behind the idea is the conversion of kinetic energy into thermal energy. When you slap a chicken, the kinetic energy of your hand is transferred into heat energy, increasing the temperature of the chicken. To cook a chicken, it typically needs to reach a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).

While it is technically possible to cook a chicken by slapping it, the reality is far more complex and challenging. Calculations suggest that a single slap would need to be delivered at an incredibly high velocity of 3726 mph to bring the chicken to cooking temperature instantly. However, this would also result in the chicken being obliterated and your hand being cooked in the process.

To avoid destroying the chicken, some have suggested using machinery or cheat methods to deliver a large number of slaps at lower intensities. YouTuber Louis Weisz, for example, developed a machine called the "Meatslapper 9001," which slaps the chicken at incredible speeds while pulling its punches to avoid obliterating it. Others have proposed using baseball bats swung by major-league baseball players to continuously hit the chicken, keeping it at cooking temperature.

Despite the creative approaches to solving this problem, it is important to recognize that cooking a chicken by slapping it is not a practical or efficient method. The number of slaps required, even at superhuman speeds, is absurdly high, and the potential for injury and mess is significant. While it may be a fun thought experiment, the oven remains the more reliable and less destructive option for cooking chicken.

The time it would take to slap a chicken to cook it

It is important to note that the idea of slapping a chicken to cook it originated as a meme. However, a physics major decided to answer this question mathematically.

The physics major made some assumptions, such as the starting temperature of the chicken, the final temperature required to cook it, the mass of the hand, and the speed of the slapping hand. Using these assumptions, they calculated that it would take 491,000 slaps to cook a chicken, assuming a very high slap speed.

To put this into perspective, if you were to slap the chicken once every second, it would take you over 5 and a half days to cook it. This is, of course, assuming that you don't need to take any breaks to rest your slapping hand!

In reality, there are much faster and more efficient ways to cook a chicken. The cooking time can vary depending on the method used, the weight of the chicken, and the part of the chicken being cooked. For example, a 3-pound whole chicken may take about 1 and a half hours to boil or poach, while chicken breasts can take 20 to 30 minutes to bake in an oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

So, while it may be theoretically possible to cook a chicken by slapping it, it is certainly not practical, and you would be better off sticking to more conventional cooking methods.

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