Redefining Physics to Roll a Ball Vertically

Researchers discover vertical ball drop at University of Waterloo

Balls usually roll horizontally but researchers at the University of Waterloo have done it on a vertical surface without applying any external force.

Vertically rolling ball ‘challenges our basic understanding of physics’

Gravity seems like a predictable, even mundane, aspect of existence. The physics dictating one of the universe’s four fundamental forces is relatively straightforward to understand and calculate (most of the time, at least). Even so, the relationships between objects with mass and energy continues to surprise physical engineers. Take recent observations made by a team at the University of Waterloo, for example. Under a very specific set of condi…

Redefining physics to roll a ball vertically

Researchers from the University of Waterloo have achieved a feat previously thought to be impossible—getting a sphere to roll down a totally vertical surface without applying any external force.