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

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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?

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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

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