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Shatter & Collide

Short answer: A spinning disc is stretched by rotational stress that grows with speed. Polycarbonate CDs are built for drive speeds up to roughly 10,000 rpm; beyond their limits, or when cracked, they can shatter violently, and fast CD-ROM drives occasionally broke damaged discs.

Many drives cap speed partly for this reason. The footage shows a CD on a motor spinning until it shatters.

VideoWrite-up2 sources
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What should you know about Shatter & Collide?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Stress grows with spin speed.

    DD-347-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Stress)

  2. CDs are polycarbonate.

    DD-347-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Material)

Video transcript: Shatter & Collide: Spin a CD Fast Enough and It Bursts Apart

Did you know, CD integrity failure at high speed occurs when a CD spins too fast, often beyond its design limits, which can lead to physical damage. As the speed increases, rotational forces put pressure on the CD, which can cause it to crack or even shatter. This is more likely with older or scratched CDs, as structural weaknesses make them less able to withstand the strain. High speed failures are rare with most consumer CD players, as they usually limit speed to safe levels. However, some high speed computer drives or industrial CD testing equipment can potentially cause integrity failures if not properly regulated. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 30.6s Reel ·

Video coming soonShatter & Collide · Instagram Reel
Shatter & Collide: Spin a CD Fast Enough and It Bursts Apart Instagram Reel · · 30.6s

The write-up

Spin a CD fast enough and it bursts apart. Cracked or worn discs give way first.

  1. Exhibit A

    Stress

    Stress grows with spin speed.

  2. Exhibit B

    Material

    CDs are polycarbonate.

  3. Exhibit C

    Cracks

    Cracked discs fail sooner.

  4. Exhibit D

    Drives

    Fast drives broke some discs.

  5. Exhibit E

    Limits

    Drives limit speed.

Questions people ask about Shatter & Collide

What breaks the disc?

Speed.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Stress) · Wikipedia: Compact disc

Which discs fail first?

Weak points.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Material) · Wikipedia: Compact disc

What are CDs made of?

Plastic.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Cracks) · Wikipedia: Compact disc

Do drives limit speed?

Safety.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Drives) · Wikipedia: CD-ROM

What does the footage show?

Spinning test.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Limits) · Wikipedia: CD-ROM

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What breaks the disc?

    1. Rotational stress
    2. Heat only
    3. Light
    4. Sound
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Rotational stress Speed. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Stress) · Wikipedia: Compact disc

  2. Which discs fail first?

    1. Cracked ones
    2. New ones
    3. Blue ones
    4. Small ones
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Cracked ones Weak points. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Material) · Wikipedia: Compact disc

  3. What are CDs made of?

    1. Polycarbonate
    2. Glass
    3. Steel
    4. Paper
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Polycarbonate Plastic. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Cracks) · Wikipedia: Compact disc

  4. Do drives limit speed?

    1. Yes
    2. No
    3. Never
    4. Only audio players
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Yes Safety. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Drives) · Wikipedia: CD-ROM

  5. What does the footage show?

    1. A CD shattering on a motor
    2. A CD being burned
    3. A CD in a store
    4. A CD player
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. A CD shattering on a motor Spinning test. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Limits) · Wikipedia: CD-ROM

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Shatter & Collide." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-347, last updated Oct 18, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/shatter-and-collide/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/shatter-and-collide/ · Last updated

Markdown version

Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-347-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/shatter-and-collide/#DD-347-F01