2013/07/25 by Shayak Bhattacharjee, Bhattacharjee, Shayak
Computer Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Chaos control and synchronization #Chaotic Dynamics (nlin.CD) #FOS: Physical sciences #Mechanical and Optical Resonators #Nonlinear Dynamics and Pattern Formation #Popular Physics (physics.pop-ph) #nlin.CD #physics.pop-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1307.6698
Letter type paper
openalex publication_date 2013/07/25 · arxiv created 2013/08/02 · arxiv updated 2013/08/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The counter-intuitive rotational motion of the propeller of a devil's stick when the agitator is rubbed against the pylon has long intrigued performers, audiences and scientists. The apparently unrelated phenomenon of self-stabilization of a Kapitza pendulum at the inverted position, once again an amazing lecture demonstration, has on the other hand been subjected to years of investigation and research. Here we show that the two systems are in fact identical, and obtain a previously unreported, friction-stabilized synchronously rotating state in the Kapitza pendulum, which in fact explains the rotational motion of the Devil's stick.