Veritasium: What happens if you throw sand into a jet engine?

What happens if you throw sand into a jet engine?

This video breaks down exactly how a jet engine works—from air intake and compressor stages to turbines—and explains why they’re so massive. You’ll get a tour inside a Rolls-Royce casting facility, learn about edge dislocations, crystal structures and nickel superalloys (hello, gamma prime!) that let turbine blades survive scorching temperatures without melting.

Then comes the fun part: a live demo of sand ingestion. Discover how rogue grains can weld themselves into molten glass on the blades, cause hotspots, and wreak havoc on your engine’s performance. It’s a wild ride through materials science and aerospace engineering, all wrapped up in one thrilling deep-dive.

Watch on YouTube