Gömböc—The Shape That Shouldn't Exist

Summary by Krater

This video explores the gomboc, the world's first self-righting shape, explaining its equilibrium points and connection to turtles.

From the video

Answers: What is a gomboc and how does it work?

• gomboc
• equilibrium points
• stable and unstable equilibrium
• homogeneous shapes
• turtle shell shapes

What it concludes

• There is no 3D object that currently exists that has less than 4 equilibrium points.
• A gomboc is the world's first three-dimensional convex and homogeneous shape that has only one stable and one unstable equilibrium point.
• A true gomboc is very hard to make because any minor imperfection creates additional equilibrium points.
• Only about three species of turtles have evolved a shell shape that matches a gomboc.