Ever notice how flying acrobats, gymnasts, ice-skaters and half-pipe snowboarders, tuck in their arms and scrunch up their bodies while spinning in the air? By keeping their arms and legs tucked close to their centers of mass, they are able to rotate faster. This is because, just like linear momentum, the momentum of rotation, called angular momentum, is also conserved.
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Circus | Circus Physics: Conservation of Angular...
Learn how the use of conservation of angular momentum helps acrobats spin through the air. 02:05
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Circus | Circus Physics: Pendulum Motion | PBS
What does the trapeze have in common with a grandfather clock? 01:44
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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
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Circus | Circus Physics: Centripetal...
Trick riders may just ride in circles, but that doesn't mean they aren't accelerating. 02:12
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Circus | Circus Physics: Conservation of Energy...
Daring stunts on the Russian Barre would be impossible without conservation of energy. 02:09
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Circus | Circus Physics: Linear Momentum | PBS
Platform trapeze flyers use conservation of linear momentum to launch themselves. 01:58
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Circus | Circus Physics: Center of Mass | PBS
The Nanjing acrobats are masters of balance. Learn some of the secret physics of balance. 02:36
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Circus | Circus Physics: Projectile Motion | PBS
Find out why the laws projectile motion make juggling multiple objects so hard. 02:25
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Circus | The Early Years | PBS
Paul and Michael recount the early days of their partnership as street jugglers. 04:29
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Circus | Walden Is... | PBS
The company talks about the town of Walden, New York, home base of the Big Apple Circus. 02:17
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Circus | Meet Michael LeClaire | PBS
When he's not taking care of the Big Top, Michael LeClaire can be found panning for gold. 04:29
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Circus | Meet Steve Smith | PBS
Big Apple Circus's guest director Steve Smith takes his work seriously -- but not himself. 01:01
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Circus | Meet Glen Heroy | PBS
Glen talks about being a newbie to the circus and his dream of performing in the ring. 00:52
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Circus | Meet Jake and Marty LaSalle | PBS
The LaSalle brothers talk about how they developed their intricate juggling act. 00:58
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Circus | Meet Paul Binder | PBS
Co-founder "Mr. Paul" is both the leader of the troupe and one of its leading performers. 01:10
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Circus | The Heart of a Clown | PBS
Find out why clowns are more complex than they may appear. 02:54
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Circus | Olivier Becomes the Mannequin | PBS
Watch Belgian mime, Olivier Taquin, transform into the mannequin. 02:00
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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
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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
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Circus | Glen and Mark's Pre-Show Rituals | PBS
Glen and Mark share their pre-show rituals. Mark stretches; Glen pretends to stretch. 02:33
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Post Date: November 4, 2010
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