Skip to main content

The physics of the "hardest move" in ballet - Arleen Sugano

2,540,684 Views

12,592 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

In the third act of "Swan Lake", the Black Swan pulls off a seemingly endless series of turns, bobbing up and down on one pointed foot and spinning around and around and around ... thirty-two times. How is this move — which is called a fouetté — even possible? Arleen Sugano unravels the physics of this famous ballet move.

How does distributing the mass closer or farther from the axis of rotation effect rotational inertia?

Sign in to answer question

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Arleen "Miss A" Sugano
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Director Anik Rosenblum
  • Producer Anik Rosenblum
  • Animator Anik Rosenblum
  • Artist Anik Rosenblum
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

More from Before and After Einstein