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Despite the title, gömböcs do exist in nature. The shells of some tortoises are gömböc-shaped, with the only stable configuration being feet-down/right-side up
by mattkrause 5y ago
Despite the title, gömböcs do exist in nature.
The shells of some tortoises are gömböc-shaped, with the only stable configuration being feet-down/right-side up. This makes it easier for the animal to right itself if it somehow lands on its back.
More here: https://www.naturalhistorymag.com/biomechanics/10309/the-living-g-mb-c https://www.naturalhistorymag.com/biomechanics/10309/the-liv...
- cshimmin 5y agoWell, in the mathematical sense that's not true. The Gomboc is defined as a homogeneous solid object with one stable equilibrium.
- mattkrause 5y agoThe article gets into that at the very end: the lungs are near the top of the tortoise, which also helps it flip back onto its feet. I wasn't really taking issue with the post title; I just thought it was an excuse to share something that I thought was pretty neat :-)
- Lerc 5y agoWell It's homogeneous in the sense that it's turtles all the way through.
- positus 5y agoHilarious — thank you.