---
title: 'Are Bananas Actually Slippery?'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=SUnNPS3rBXk'
video_id: 'SUnNPS3rBXk'
date: 2026-07-28
duration_sec: 69
---

# Are Bananas Actually Slippery?

> Source: [Are Bananas Actually Slippery?](https://youtube.com/watch?v=SUnNPS3rBXk)

## Summary

This video tests the common cartoon trope of slipping on banana peels by comparing the slipperiness of banana peels to ice, wet soap, and BB floor using a controlled piston mechanism. It explains the scientific reasons behind each surface's low friction.

### Key Points

- **Experimental setup** [00:17] — A piston pushes shoes with the same force over four materials: ice, wet soap, BB floor, and banana peels.
- **Ice slipperiness** [00:30] — Ice has a thin layer of water on its surface, causing gliding like a boat.
- **Soap slipperiness** [00:42] — Soap bonds with water, maintaining a film that reduces friction.
- **Banana peels** [00:55] — Tiny bumps on banana peels release a slippery gel when compressed, making them slippery.

### Conclusion

Banana peels are indeed slippery due to a gel released from bumps, comparable to other low-friction surfaces like ice and wet soap.

## Transcript

- You see this all the time in cartoons, but what about in real life? I tried this for myself, but it wasn't exactly a controlled experiment. - This piston will push the shoes forward with the exact same force each time, and we'll see how far
they go over four slippery materials, ice, wet soap, a BB floor, and banana peels. - The key here is all four of these have really low friction, starting with ice. - Ice always has a thin layer of water on its surface, so you're essentially gliding like a boat
- Soap bonds with water, so it keeps a film of water around itself and you once again glide like a boat. - Because of the shape, BB balls just roll if you put weight on them.
- And finally, bananas. - Bananas have tiny bumps on their peels that release a slippery gel when you smush them.
Even with one banana peel per shoe, same result. but way more delicious. Wait, does this mean they won't sub?