@inventionontt: Original Video Credit: IG/astro_pettit Floating in microgravity, the rotating object appears stable for a moment before abruptly flipping over and continuing to spin. The demonstration was recorded by NASA astronaut Don Pettit, capturing the repeated 180-degree reversals associated with the Dzhanibekov effect. The behavior occurs when a rigid object with three different principal moments of inertia rotates primarily around its intermediate principal axis. Rotation around this axis is inherently unstable, so even a tiny disturbance grows until the object tumbles and appears to flip, despite experiencing essentially no external torque during the demonstration. Also known as the intermediate axis theorem or tennis-racket theorem, the phenomenon is a consequence of classical rigid-body dynamics rather than an effect unique to space. Microgravity provides an environment where an object can rotate freely for long enough to make the repeated instability especially easy to observe. No copyright infringement intended. Content is shared for educational purposes only. Full credit goes to the original creator. For any questions or copyright concerns, please dm or contact us via the email listed on our page. #shorts #Science #education #learn #invention
Possibly dumb question but is this how the magnetic pole switch occurs as well?
2026-09-25 01:16:53
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p.m1ng :
You need lack of symmetry (so that there are 3 axes with different rotational inertia) for the intermediate axis phenomenon to occur. The earth because its symmetric along the polar axis has only 2 different rotational inertias
2026-09-24 05:40:48
45
Jack Britt :
This has never sat right with me
2026-09-24 04:56:09
32
Austin Douglas :
the mobius strip in action in real time...
2026-09-23 22:24:17
74
John Younger836 :
Ummmm ,Centrifugal forces aren't consistent without a gravity field?
2026-09-24 22:14:16
0
💙 :
I wonder this is part of the reason why the earth isnt a perfect sphere
2026-09-24 05:11:08
4
Ell :
Is that what a spacecraft would do if it was spinning out of control?
2026-09-24 05:47:01
0
Clara Harrison :
clearly fake
2026-09-25 18:57:21
0
skyle :
Can planets or stars do the same ?
2026-09-24 05:26:59
0
Ohhwoww :
I have an intrinsic and instinctual understanding of the physics behind this and exactly why it happens. Frfr
2026-09-24 21:26:24
5
Nik :
So when’s that happening to earth
2026-09-24 02:15:31
2
Smoko :
every object has a major axis, minor axis, and intermediate axis of inertia (unless it's symmetrical). this phenomenon does not happen when flipping things along their long edge or their short edge, but it does along the intermediate edge. try with your phone. clockwise while facing you is stable no matter how many rotations. sideways like a pirroiette is also stable. but frontward like a somersault and it flips 180.
2026-09-24 08:05:09
6
𓌜 ❀𝜯𝒘𝒐 𝜯𝒊𝒎𝒆 ❀ 𓌜 :
if we find a way to scale the speed up, can this be used for perpetual motion, then for perpetual power draw? first ive heard of this, just wondering why that isnt possible.
2026-09-24 10:40:58
0
Coltonsteel :
Venus on a small scale
2026-09-24 11:06:42
1
Paul :
Moment of inertia is actually a rank 2 tensor which can be written as a 3x3 symmetric matrix
2026-09-25 12:27:31
1
Rodney O. :
That’s amazing that it will just tumble forever
2026-09-24 10:29:45
1
SUDOCIVID :
when is the earth due for this manuever?
2026-09-24 03:58:45
10
Sincerely yours :
Imagine the earth decided to do this one year
2026-09-24 04:14:03
6
ActuallyIzDoge1 :
intermediate axis theorem
2026-09-24 13:03:59
3
Delta Voss :
what happens to perfect spheres? what happens to dimpled surfaces like Gold balls? what about a-symmetrical dimpled golf balls? print designs on the balls so that computers can analyze the pattern made while in spin
2026-09-24 20:56:10
1
sea_note_vegas :
when you spin a ball then drop it straight down on the ground is spins the other way after it bounces back. different concept but similar result
2026-09-25 18:15:16
0
Justin :
I get it's to make it unbalanced but why would they need a flash when shooting from space?
2026-09-24 14:08:56
0
bigdan7889 :
Same thing happens when you try to flip a hammer in the air.
2026-09-25 05:59:43
3
fred dick :
poor camera it’s so confused
2026-09-25 07:25:59
2
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