Prince Rupert's Drop
A Prince Rupert's Drop is a unique glass object created by dropping molten glass into cold water, which rapidly cools and solidifies it into a teardrop shape. The process creates internal stresses within the glass, making it extremely strong and able to withstand significant force on its bulbous end.
However, if the tail of the drop is even slightly damaged, the internal stresses are released, causing the entire structure to shatter explosively. This fascinating phenomenon illustrates the principles of material science and the effects of rapid cooling on glass, making it a popular subject for demonstrations and experiments.