Standing on your tiptoes is hard enough, but imagine trying to do it while staying balanced on top of someone else's head. To keep balanced, the Nanjing acrobats must be aware of their centers of mass, and the various forces--called torques--that might cause them to rotate and fall out of balance.
Tags:Topics:
-
Now Playing
Circus | Circus Physics: Center of Mass | PBS
The Nanjing acrobats are masters of balance. Learn some of the secret physics of balance. 02:36
-
Circus | Circus Physics: Conservation of Energy...
Daring stunts on the Russian Barre would be impossible without conservation of energy. 02:09
-
Circus | Born to be Circus | PBS (#105)
Full Program: Performers who grew up in the circus find it difficult to imagine another kind of life. 53:42
-
Circus | Down the Road | PBS (#106)
Full Program: As the tent comes down for the last time, we say one final "see you down the road." 53:12
-
Circus | Change On! | PBS (#103)
Full Program: A major act is cut just before the first show; it's an inauspicious start to the season. 53:42
-
Circus | Survival of the Fittest | PBS (#104)
Full Program: Three members of the company consider leaving the circus for the "real world." 53:42
-
Circus | Performance: Cloud Swing | PBS
Watch solo trapeze artist Regina Dobrovitskayas' perform her aerial acrobatics. 01:19
-
Circus | Cutting Down the Tightwire | PBS
Building a great circus show often requires making tough decisions about the acts. 05:03
-
Circus | Circus Physics: Pendulum Motion | PBS
What does the trapeze have in common with a grandfather clock? 01:44
-
Circus | Circus Physics: Conservation of Angular...
Learn how the use of conservation of angular momentum helps acrobats spin through the air. 02:05
-
Circus | Circus DIY: How to Do a Handstand | PBS
Learning to do a handstand takes practice. Christian Stoinev demonstrates the basics. 02:41
-
Circus | One Ring Family | PBS (#102)
Full Program: The clock is ticking down to the dress rehearsal in Walden, but the show isn't ready. 53:42
-
Circus | First of May | PBS (#101)
Full Program: As the company puts together the new show, we meet the members of the Big Apple family. 53:42
-
Circus | Circus Physics: Newton's Laws of...
Watch Luciano and his dogs jump, slide, and wrestle according to Newton's Laws of Motion. 02:01
-
Circus | Circus Physics: Centripetal...
Trick riders may just ride in circles, but that doesn't mean they aren't accelerating. 02:12
-
Circus | Circus Physics: Linear Momentum | PBS
Platform trapeze flyers use conservation of linear momentum to launch themselves. 01:58
-
Circus | Circus Physics: Projectile Motion | PBS
Find out why the laws projectile motion make juggling multiple objects so hard. 02:25
-
Circus | Behind the Trick: Wire Walking | PBS
Circus performer Sarah Schwarz describes what it feels like to perform her tightwire act. 00:45
-
Circus | The Early Years | PBS
Paul and Michael recount the early days of their partnership as street jugglers. 04:29
-
Circus | Walden Is... | PBS
The company talks about the town of Walden, New York, home base of the Big Apple Circus. 02:17
- Watch more video from this program
Post Date: October 7, 2010
Downloads and Plug-Ins
This section of IPTV.org uses free plug-ins to enhance your experience.
More technical information can be found on our Downloads and Plug-Ins page.