Physics of Fugitive Food: Spin, Skids, and Kitchen Chaos
21 October 2025

Physics of Fugitive Food: Spin, Skids, and Kitchen Chaos

Intellectually Curious

About
Why does a dropped olive sprint to the far corner? This episode breaks down the physics of everyday food escapes. We'll cover how rotational energy from the drop turns into sideways motion, how shape creates ramps and pivots (the lever and spoon effects), why some items bounce on dry surfaces while slick surfaces make them hydroplane, and how floor texture reshapes energy transfer. With accessible explanations and thought experiments, we reveal the hidden dynamics behind the chaos of a fallen snack.


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