Mixing fruit with YouTube has explosive results

We don't think this scientist is putting his two a day to proper use.

Exploding coconuts

The phenomenon of YouTube's exploding fruit Source: giphy

Fruit: some people eat it, others like to find ways to make it explode.

One particularly strong advocate of the latter is the so-called who is one of a growing legion of YouTubers taking to blowing up fruit and sharing the video evidence online.

In his latest offerings, the Florida resident finishes off a coconut and watermelon by drilling a hole in the top and carefully pouring in molten salt.
The Backyard Scientist
This is what happens when you pour molten salt into a coconut (YouTube/TheBackyardScientist via Giphy) Source: giphy
The Backyard Scientist
A watermelon explodes as it's struck by a bullet made of sodium (YouTube/TheBackyardScientist via Giphy) Source: giphy
He heats coarse table salt to 700 degrees Celsius before placing it at the end of a very long pouring pole in an experiment no one should try at home. The sodium in the salt reacts with the high water content in the fruit resulting in a very explosive reaction.

The Backyard Scientist uses the same principal in a similar video where he blows up another watermelon by shooting at it with sodium bullets.

The YouTuber isn’t alone in this phenomenon and a host of methods have been used (and taped) to blow up a variety of different foods.
exploding apple
This apple flies to bits in a big way (YouTube/thissiteishorrible via Giphy) Source: YouTube
Exploding orange
Oranges aren't exempt either (YouTube/Gonzales Lumpi va Giphy) Source: YouTube
Exploding jelly
When jelly, firecrackers and a slow-mo camera mix (YouTube/Taras Kul via Giphy) Source: YouTube
Pumpkins are a popular option for those looking for something to explode around while one user has used slow motion recording to get an up close look at what happens when you put a firecracker into .

In another experiment popular with kids across the globe last year, you can split a hard shelled fruit or vegetable by tying too many  around it.

Fireworks and guns are other explosive methods. (No matter what the method, these experiments can be dangerous; we don't recommmend trying any of them at home!)
Exploding watermelon
Tying too many rubber bands around a watermelon has explosive results (YouTube/brialx1 via Giphy) Source: YouTube
Exploding pumpkin
A dangerous way to dispose of extra pumpkins after Halloween (YouTube/NicksFireworkDemos via Giphy) Source: YouTube

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SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only. Read more about SBS Food
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SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only.
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Published 25 May 2016 12:51pm
Updated 19 March 2021 6:08pm
By Bianca Soldani


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