All Questions
9 questions
9
votes
2
answers
379
views
Which convex bodies roll straight?
Let $K$ be a convex body in $\mathbb{R}^3$.
Suppose $K$ is held at some position and orientation on an inclined plane,
and released.
Let there be sufficient friction so that it rolls without slippage.
...
- 151k
14
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Egg-ovoid rolling down an inclined plane
I am seeking a mathematical analysis of an egg-ovoid rolling down an inclined plane,
for pedagogical reasons.
It is well-known folk lore that the shape of an egg prevents it from rolling away from
...
- 151k
21
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Which convex bodies roll along closed geodesics?
An ellipsoid could be rolled (without slippage) on a horizontal plane so that its point
of contact traces out a closed geodesic on its surface:
...
- 151k
6
votes
1
answer
544
views
Is there a sideways-walking rolling convex body?
Let $K$ be a solid, homogenous convex body in $\mathbb{R}^3$.
Place $K$ on an inclined plane, and let it roll down the plane,
under some reasonable assumptions of friction between $K$ and
the plane, ...
- 151k
9
votes
1
answer
559
views
Generalizing a square wheel to a body rolling on a surface
A square wheel rolling on a catenary road maintains the wheel center at a fixed
height, a well-known construction previously discussed on MO
(e.g.,
"Generalizing square wheels rolling on inverted ...
- 151k
9
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Oloid and sphericon: rolling develops entire surface
Wikipedia says that,
"The oloid is one of the only known objects, along with some members of the sphericon family, that while rolling, develops its entire surface."
Below are illustrations of ...
- 151k
11
votes
3
answers
903
views
"Rolling Geodesics": Designing a $k$-putt green
I am interested in what might be called rolling geodesics, paths
of physical particles confined to a surface in $\mathbb{R}^3$
under certain force conditions.
Here I will pose a specific (but ...
- 151k
8
votes
1
answer
787
views
The rain hull and the rain ridge
Rain falls steadily on an island, a 2-manifold $M$, which you may
assume, as you prefer,
is: (a) smooth, or (b) a PL-manifold, or perhaps even
(c) a
triangulated irregular network (TIN).
After a time,...
- 151k
7
votes
1
answer
815
views
Rolling a convex body: Geodesics vs. rolling curves
What are the curves of contact on a convex body $B$ rolling down an inclined plane?
Assume $B$ is smooth, and there is sufficient friction to prevent slippage.
Certainly, one can develop a geodesic ...
- 151k