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Slow Motion Flipping Cat Physics | Smarter Every Day 58

Slow Motion Flipping Cat Physics | Smarter Every Day 58 on HackerTube: recommended by 3 Hacker News commenters across 3 separate months, 2012–2023.

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Destin of Smarter Every Day films a cat falling in high-speed slow motion to show how cats right themselves in midair, and introduces the physics behind it.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN recommends it as a good visual explanation of how cats land on their feet.

people recommended it
3
separate months
3
strong recommendations
0
discussed on HN
2012–2023
“This video has a good explanation of the process”
— ryankrage77, Feb 2023, in “Cat jumps from fifth floor of burning building, bounces and strolls away”

What HN commenters said

3 Hacker News comments link this video. Each one links back to its thread.

ryankrage77Feb 2023Recommends

> the exact mechanics of the animal’s righting reflex are still not completely understood. I don't think this is true anymore. They move their head and tail to rotate themselves upright, and due to their low weight their terminal velocity is not fatal. This video has a good explanation of the process, ▶ this video Squirrels use a similar technique, Mark Rober has made some good videos explaining that.

in “Cat jumps from fifth floor of burning building, bounces and strolls away” · View on HN

MiguelHudnandezJul 2013Recommends

You'd just see some blinding white light for a few seconds and then maybe nothing else for the rest of your life. Our human eyes and brains limit us from perceiving even everyday things with the majesty they deserve. Even popping water balloons looks amazing in high speed video. On YouTube, there is a community of people doing silly things with high speed cameras that makes for stimulating watching: Smarter Every Day: weird glass phenomenon [link] Smarter Every Day: cat righting itself in midair ▶ this video Lots of high speed videos [link]

in “Apollo 11 Saturn V Launch” · View on HN

otneusnocuhAug 2012Recommends

I think it's cos they don't want to get hurt landing on their back. Now how they do it is a different question all together. Ps, awesome video ▶ this video , article is pretty useless.

in “A Physics Lesson: Why Cats Land on Their Feet” · View on HN

Topics & tags

Everyday physics & science demosAnimals & naturehigh speed videocatsphysicsangular momentumslow motion