The science behind the Phanatic’s hot dog cannon malfunction

So you may perceive how the gang at BayCare Park was excited when the Phanatic wheeled out its ATV-mounted frankfurter firer amid a break within the motion throughout Tuesday’s Rays-Phillies sport. But that pleasure turned to audible disappointment when the second sizzling canine out of the chute popped out not with a bang, however with a whimper, barely clearing the automobile earlier than touchdown harmlessly on the grass.

That would usually be the top of the story, however fortunately MLB.com’s intrepid Phillies beat reporter, Todd Zolecki, did some extra digging and unearthed the rationale behind the malfunction. Not to get too scientific, however the Phanatic’s cannon is of the pneumatic selection, which means it operates through compressed air. If a sizzling canine’s foil is simply too tightly wrapped, it will probably enable an excessive amount of air to flee round it within the barrel, leading to weak launches. For an optimum arc into the stands, you desire a extra loosely wrapped projectile.

A bit look backstage — or maybe, behind the foil — on the physics behind the Phanatic.