Flipping
Cat Physics
Cats are one of most common human’s companion. We can see them all the time walking around their own trails and climbing on everything just to be in a center of attention. Although sometimes I can see them trip on something they always fall on their four legs. How is that possible? In the video shown below we can see a youtube video created by Destin Standlin showing how cats rotate when falling. It’s fascinating how they can control their body to rotate. I won't spoil the reason but watch how percisely they control their body, every move is perfect.
Think about it for a second and watch the video presented below.
- Did you ever wonder how is that possible?
- What are your thoughts about this video?
- Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling
so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
Comments
2. This is a very cool movie, which explains a very interesting phenomenon in a scientific and safe way. I see nothing wrong with this experimentation.
3. No, the cat looked pleased, experiments was safe. Sometimes in the name of science, you have to conduct experiments that can be controversial. However, this is the only way to learn about and describe a phenomenon.
2. It is all about a fun fact which makes it enjoyable to watch, and it contains cats which is already a sufficient argument to give it a thumb up 😊
3. The height was not very big, I think the cat was totally fine. The black one at the end, which didn’t take any part in the experiment was the angriest. Maybe he had enough of those “stupid experiments” and just wanted to leave him alone 😊
Not really. I just got accustomed to the fact that they own the skill like that. I it was dogs thing, I would probably want to know more about it.
2. What are your thoughts about this video?
I like all kind of fun facts videos and I like this one as well. It is an undefined pleasure to finally get to know simple, obvious things like this one. I am looking forward to seeing more of materials like this one.
3. Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times?
I did not. It looked like it was not a suffering for him at all, maybe just a little inconvenience. I would be way more sorry if the guy was doing something inconvenient to any dog.
Yes and I read the explanation in a physics book. Although the video explanations made it much easier to understand, especially since you did not have to imagine the cat's movement during the fall.
2. What are your thoughts about this video?
I liked it mainly due to the fact that there were recordings from different perspectives and slow motion effects.
3. Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
Although it landed on soft ground, it seemed very scared, especially at the first fall - it was easy to recognize by looking at its eyes. Still, I think it was more stressful than painful.
2. The movie was well done, I liked especially slow movements and recording cats from different perspectives. Unfortunately, I feel sorry for these cats.
3. Despite the fact that the experiments were safe, the cat didn't know that. It was stressed and terrified, I felt sorry for it.
what would happen when we drop a cat upside down with a slice of bread with margarine on his back, the two things are famous for always landing on the floor (slice of bread on the smeared side and cats on their legs)
2. What are your thoughts about this video?
The video was interesting and profesionally done. I enjoyed the slow motion captures since watching it in real time is too fast to understand what happens exactly.
2. The cat in the experiment always had a soft landing so there was no chance for any body injuries to occur.
Answering your questions:
Basically I didn't know about this phenomenon until now. This is a very interesting thing. All in all, I'm not surprised, nature is amazing and has many surprises. To be honest, I was a little sad because of the kitty, who must have had some fear. Personally, I think that recording such movies with live animals is not a good idea, because animals can be afraid. Everyone interprets it differently, for someone it is funny, for another it is bad ang feel angry.
2. As for the video, I was a bit surprised. Initially, I thought cats were falling on four paws by turning the tail in the opposite direction, but as you can see I was wrong. To be honest I have been looking for an answer to this question for a long time. Thank you for this video.
3. No, I didn't feel sorry for she. Cats have an innate ability to fall on four legs, so nothing harmful happened to she. The cat let herself drop a few times so it didn't bother her either.
2. I am surprised that the cat is rotating in such an early phase of falling. It is reversed in the middle of distance from the ground. The video also showed me how it works that cats are able to fall from high buldings with straighten legs.
3. I'm not sure if he should throw his cat, but im glad that finally someone explained this phenomenon. At first i thought it was bad, but the video showed me that cats are adapted to such falls and it can even be fun for it.
2. What I like the most about this video is that it's short, however explains in detail all of the mechanisms that allow cats to fall on 4 feet.
3. Not really. I've tried doing this to my cat a few times and it seemed to have enjoyed it :D The cat on the video had a soft landing and the height from which it was being dropped was big enough for it to actually fall on 4 paws, so there were no chances it could get injured.
I felt sorry for the cat too even by the fact that it was grabbed like that (paws on top, head down).
I'm glad you like the video. And yes cat had a pillow or something to land on but it was still a little bit scared. I hate the fact that they had to grab the cat by it's legs but it had to be done to accomplish the results.
2. I think that it is good that someone asked themselves a question no one thought of asking. I liked the part where they showed how front and back legs worked during the fall.
3. I didn’t feel pity about the cat, because I’m not the cat person. Also I think the environment of the experiment was cat friendly.
2. It was very interesting to me. The person who made it undoubtedly knew something about physics and could explain that. I liked it.
3. I don't think the cat did suffer. I think another video could be made of how cats are falling from very high distances and don't get hurt!
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/CavernousDimGrosbeak-size_restricted.gif
I always heard about this but never wondered how actually it works and by watching this video I just realised how complex this idea is.
2.What are your thoughts about this video?
It's funny! Guy just came with an idea of making a short movie about flipping his cat ahaha.
3.Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
Yes, that actually was really stupid. It's all about fun but cats also have a feelings, right?
2 & 3. I see this video as strictly educational. I know, that channel made sure for kitty to be safe, but those are homemade conditions. Hence we can't be sure if it was really safe. For example she could always hit wall of this box and harm herself in such way. Moreover such videos probably encourage other people to test if it's really true. Those people may prepare safety worse than Destin and lead to injures of other cats. We also don't know cat reaction after first drop, whether she enjoyed it and was ok with continuing or was just grabbed and thrown again. It's highly irresponsible to do such things and even more to post it online. It all may look funny and seem ok, because everything was success, but cats can break bones too.
To be fair I haven't thought about flipping cat physics before. And it is a really interesting experiment about cats' superpower.
2. What are your thoughts about this video?
I liked this video. The man was very funny and he explained everything very clearly. It was easy to understand. I haven't known about the SmarterEveryDay channel but after that video, I want to watch some others.
3. Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video)?
Oh, yeah...Despite the fact that the conditions were safe for the cat, I was a little sorry for him. The expression of its face during the fall in slow motion was not very joyful.
When I was young, one of my friends told me about this unusual fact, we tried it and i was like this is cool but but the how and why didn't interest me.
2. What are your thoughts about this video?
The video is well done with scientific information on how cat the does this, I think it's an intuitive video not like all those funny cats videos we used-to (I like them both).
3. Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
I don't think the cat did suffer. the cat knows that cats always fall on their four legs.
As you can see, Physics also applies to cats. The film shows that the tail rotates in the opposite direction to the cat's body. When the tail rotates, the body starts to rotate in the opposite direction so that the rotation of the whole body relative to the centre of mass does not change. I'm gonna run an experiment. I happen to have a cat without a tail.
The fall of a cat can be split into two phases:
1. the cat has her paws shrunk at the front and pulled out at the back, the front of the cat has a small moment, the back is big, the front of the cat rotates a lot, the back is not much
2. the cat retracts the rear paws and pulls out the front, now the rear can turn considerably with a small front turn.
What are your thoughts about this video?
The film is cool and looks like it's a real scientific experiment.
Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
I'm sure the cat's fine. But it was certainly a big stress for the cat. There was no need to make this video. The issues of the cat falling on its 4 feet were explained in many scientific articles.
I adored this video, so funny and have never thought about the angular rotation of the cat while falling, this never came to my mind:)
What are your thoughts about this video?
I only think about poor cat, which suffered a lot for the sake of science. This video inspired me and made very curious, so I decided to explore on this topic, thus I got to know that this is the cat`s innate ability to orient itself while it falls and cats have flexible backbone, so lucky them, otherwise this cat would not survive these experiments. This guy got 9 mln views on youtube, so probably half of the people who watched it will go to torture their cats :)
I just thought he will get a lot of haters in the comments and people will accuse him of animal abuse, but I see nobody cares:)
2. I believe the video explained the phenomenon really well.
3. I did actually. I know there was no other way to test how cat is controlling the way he is falling. Even though the cat is ok, the fall wasn't from a great height, it hurts me to watch the way the cat is forced into the experiment.
1. Yes, I've wondered how is that possible and I remember seeing a funny video in the past where scientists created a perpetuum mobile by taping a buttered toast to a cat's back so their "creation" wasn't able to fall on the ground when dropped. It kept spinning around it's axis and created energy.
2. I really liked this video and it got me pretty hooked. I like the explanation of this phenomenon. Cats are truly marvelous creatures.
3. I did pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times however I know that it hasn't been hurt in any way and it clearly trusts it's owner. Also it "suffered" for a good cause - and for science that is!
Yes, One of my cat fell down from 7 floor when he was 16 years old, it just got hurt and then we brought him to animal hospital, and he was alive.
2.What are your thoughts about this video?
I enjoy watching animal videos especially about cats videos as I have many cats at my home in my home city, but one thing I don't like is that it is not a proper way to hold cats like the guy did in the video, their hands would get hurt easily especially when the cat was fat.
3.Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
Absolutely I did, if it was me, I would never do such things for my cats, you are not alone, I am actually angry a bit too when I was watching it, you know the cat trusted him as he was his owner, and he did such things to him, I have to give him a "dislike" now.
To be honest i have never think about this before. It's quite interesting video. :)
2. What are your thoughts about this video?
I really enjoyed it. I think this is a quite good explanation about this phenomenon.
3. Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
I think everyone pity cats when it really hurt them. In this video cat had safe landing but if someone would throw me like that so many times i would be angry.
Yes, but never thought so much about that as my skills in physics aren't enought to get this on my own. But I tried to imagine one thing, if cat lands always on four legs and bread with butter always lands on the butter side, what happens when we cover cat with a butter?
2. What are your thoughts about this video?
It is quick, simple and have a lot to tell. Those are videos that I like and thanks to you I learn about another channel I would watch if I had a time at all. :D
3. Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
No, he didn't hurt itself and basically cats during free roam fall more times and gets into fights then during this video. It's normal. And nothing that's normal is objectively bad.
These techniques can be mustered by humans as well. It's just that humans are a bit bigger, heavier and more suited for two limb movement rather than four. But every professional paraglider will tell you how to control flight using legs and lower body.
What are your thoughts about this video?
Cool video. Standard sterile YouTube content.
Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
It didn't have to suffer. As you can see, the cats are naturally suited and fitted for this kind of stunts.
2. It is well produced and cut - I like how forces are presented on cat's body. In addition it is not too long so I did not get bored.
3. That was one of the things that came to my mind while watching this video - what will more sensitive people think about it? Nah I do not feel like they suffered, cats are well known for their persistence and flexibility of their joints. My cat (R.I.P. brother) once fell from seventh floor and only broke his leg. It's all fine, I can bet this person just cut cat's life routine during recording day :)
2. I'd have to say "poor kitty" however she didn't run away so I hope she liked to be the star of this video ;) The science behind the topic was well explained so I enjoyed it. The graphics, however, could have been done better, but I don't want to complain too much.
3. Yes! Exactly what I was thinking. However, they are well prepared to do so and she could even think of it as a play. She would use her claws and run away if she wouldn't enjoy it.
Bonus: I couldn't help but thinking of this video the whole time, have fun :D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8yW5cyXXRc
2. I think that this video is not so smart as it may seem to someone. The execution of experiment is also not too professional. Can also complain about surroundings, what if weather influenced how cat fell? Also I would like to see some kind of measurement scale behind a cat and a white background instead of this guy. From the point of esthetics my eyes didn't enjoy colors and overall cameramen' job.
3. Yes me too. The cat probably wasn't harmed. But everyone knows, cats don't like to be forced into doing something. Don't bother the cat he is a human too goddamn.
I never thought about it. It's said that the cat always falls on four paws. However, I never wondered why. Maybe it has something inside? There are animals (even whales hearing) that have something extraordinary about them. Maybe this is something in cats.
2. What are your thoughts about this video?
Fortunately, you can see that nothing happened to the cat. I would never have come up with such an idea to do such a thing and record it yet. The film is not, in my opinion, too ambitious and if you did not post it on this blog I would not watch it.
3. Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
I felt sorry for him, I'm not in favor of such (even scientific) treatment of animals. I have two dogs myself (including York) and I don't think I want anyone to treat him that way. I didn't like it!
1. Yes I have had this thought a few times actually, but I find cats a bit mysterious creatures so I've let it be a mystery for me. (at least until now)
2. This video has an educational value and the subject is very interesting as it is something that most of us have heard about at least once in the lifetime. However this experiment was not conducted professionally and I don't understand why since it is made on a living organism...
3. Actually I did. Fortunately they landed on their feet but they must have been scared anyway as they were hanging in human's hands above to ground. I think that this man should be better prepared in case something went wrong. If it was a study made on people, it would probably be taken with greater care.
No, I haven’t. I guess it’s just one of those things that you take for granted and never think about it.
2. What are your thoughts about this video?
Even though the experiment was safe, I am not a fan of any sort of experiments made on animals. I have two cats and I would not like someone doing any sort of experiments on them.
3. Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ? I Felt same way as you did.
2. I don’t like the video. The person that is handling the cat is in my opinion hurting him. It brings him unnecessary stress that will result in reduced lifespan of the animal.
3. As I said in the comment above, I pity the cat a lot. I think it is a disgrace to treat like that living creature that trusts us.
Not really, I already saw some explanation about this on tv.
2. What are your thoughts about this video?
It was pointless there are already many similar videos made by real scientists on this subject with animation and other special effects which explains this phenomenon. I bet that now after watching this video every 10 person or so with a cat will try this experiment at home.
3. Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video)?
Maybe a little after hearing that he did this ten of times and knowing that he did this only because he wanted to be more popular on his channel but what we won't do for money and fame.
2 / I always thought that this is the same rule as the rule of falling bread and butter. And if you attach a butter sandwich to a cat, and they fall. That will turn out to be a perpetual motion machine.
3 / I think quite a bit
Yes, I did. In the past I read an article about it, but at that point, a theory of tail's major contribution in body's rotation was the most popular.
2. What are your thoughts about this video?
Honestly, I think this video isn't something absolutely necessary in our wolrd. People shouldn't do this type of things to their cats only because they want to make a video for some SNS.
3. Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
Yes, I did. I think those cats also wasn't content with using them as guinea pigs in that experiment. And we could see it in their facial expression.
2. After watching this video, I understand it’s the science that stands behind cats, not the fact that they have 9 lives :)
3. Well, at first I was shocked that he did it to his cat, but he took care of safe fall and that calmed me down.
Did you ever wonder how is that possible?
I never investigated it but it seemed interesting! I'm so glad youtube is a perfect place to find answers to such things. Thanks for sharing!
What are your thoughts about this video?
SmarterEveryDay is likeable guy, who was on my subscribe list back in times when I spent a little more time on youtube. He delivers his message in very structured and enjoyable form. It did entertain me and thought me something new. All expectations have been met!
Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
Just a little little bit. I was more angry on the astronauts doing tests on cats during free fall. That had to be way more uncomfortable for them than just letting them fall on the pillow in controlled environment
2. I'm pretty sure that there are many similar videos, so making another one and hurting cats again isn't something neccessary.
3.I pity them, but I think it wasn't that bad, like there are far worse things that people do to animals.
I have never thought about this. I also have never thought that it's really true so now im aware that this is not a mith as i used to think.
What are your thoughts about this video?
It's greate because in simple but also scientific way he describs how it works.
Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
I dont think that cat suffer too much. It seemed unmoved by all of this.
I don't know how it's possible, but cats are weird. Okay cats are funny and I love watching videos of funny cats at work.
2.What are your thoughts about this video?
Very nice video, it shows some funny facts. All in all, movies like this are very enjoyable to watch. Cats are weird :)
3.Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
I used to regret these cats. At the moment cats are laughing at this very strange and in total silly animals. Sometimes I think they do it
of specially.
Yes, there was a moment in my life when I was wondering about it and even tried to find an explanation in the internet.
2. What are your thoughts about this video?
It was very enjoyable to watch as it was educational but not in a boring way.
3. Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
To be honest it never crossed my mind, but now when I think about it I’m a little bit sorry for the cat.
I don't like this game very much, I think it's not human and unethical, it's bullying a poor cat. I don't know how people can enjoy it, and I think they should be punished for such behaviour. A cat is not a toy but a living creature.
2. This is a very cool and interesting movie. It shows the secrets of cat's life and physics in a simple and friendly way to a stunt cat.
3. No why? In this film, it was controlled falls directly onto the mattress, so the filmmaker was concerned about the safety of the cat. I think that on a daily basis cats come out of much worse oppressions and jump from greater heights on four paws and this film was made in the name of science and the cat did nothing, so everything is all right.
Not really, it is just a normal and usual thing which we don’t focus on. It works so you don’t think about it.
2. What are your thoughts about this video?
I just dont like this video. I find it boring and stupid a little. Also the shots and some quality of it has a lot to wish for. To sum up I dont like it.
3. Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
I dont think so, this cat has no problem with this.
I have never really thought about that. I just took it as a fact. However I have to admit that learning about cat's physics was much more interesting than I thought it would be. It makes me appreciate nature's mechanisms.
What are your thoughts about this video?
Video was fascinating and the whole channel is one of the most productive and interesting ones on the internet. Smarter every day has been in my recommendations for many months now and I have to admit that every video he makes is worth watching.
Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
A little bit yes. I am aware that this man is not a cruel to them and he also felt bad for them and at least tried to make it up for this. Nevertherles the damage is done. Small one but still.
2. A little bit excruciate for this catty.
3. Yeah, but i'm convinced that it was nothing for him.
2. Not boring, not long, perfect to watch during a very short breakfast. Although I have a lot of time for it these days, you know. So I was ready for an hour-long video with all physical and evolutionary details of the process (no =) ).
3. I wasn't angry, but it wasn't comfortable to watch these moments. I hope, I really hope that its reward was very delicious.
No, I haven't heard about it before so I didn’t think about it unfortunately.
2. What are your thoughts about this video?
Hm, to be honest, It wasn't the best video I've ever watched and my thoughts are quite neutral.
3. Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
Me too, everyone knows, cats (and any other animals) don't like to be forced into doing something.
1 & 2. The topic of the video is quite unusual what makes it interesting. It is well made and explained so it is easy to understand this process. Although I feel bad for the cat. They are animals and even though they are object of experiment they should be treated with respect.
Actually, yes, but I didn't ask anybody about it.
What are your thoughts about this video?
Video is nice. I wonder if any acrobat tried to repeat this figure of movement with arms and legs therefore if it is possible to human.
Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
I think cats are a bit better than humans in jumping and I hope those falls were not a cause of any suffering to the cat.
It’s like a joke that cats fall on their own paws and there is Murphy’s law that a sandwich will fall down with the spread side down. So, if this sandwich is tied to a cat, then they will continuously rotate above the ground, contrary to all laws of gravity. But in fact, cats have a good reaction and, as was said in the video, they have their own gyroscope. In this case, the tail helps them to adjust the correct position in the air while it flies to the ground. That’s all magic.
What are your thoughts about this video?
Yes, the video is pretty informative. The format itself is very informative. And indeed a very popular channel for those who want to get new knowledge and have fun doing it.
Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
Since all this was done for the sake of science, let's say thank you to the cat! Thanks to animals, we know a lot about ourselves and about the world around us as a whole. Do not throw cats from a height.
I do not think so. I am not a fan of cats so I did not really care about them that much. But that does not make me an animal hater. I just do not like cats. Instead of that I really like dogs, and I even own one.
2. What are your thoughts about this video?
The topic is quite interesting but that does not conclude why it really works that way. I don't know seems like a click bait for me. There for sure are there some other theories but I did not find the complete one.
3. Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
A lot of students here pity the animals and some of them even eat the animal meat every day so that is kind of funny to read. But anyways I think that they were not hurt. I've seen a cat that jumps from the 3rd floor almost every day during hot days so in my research I do not think that any of them was hurt during process.
Ey, it's amazing that cats have such a sense of orientation that they fall from the machine, but in total cats are stuntmen. The movies in slomotion were cool a few years ago, but people are still watching it, I don't know why. Anyway, it's a poor kitty. I mean, I know that nothing happened to him, but the fear in his eyes in these slow shots is piercing. Cats always fall on four paws and that's what I stick to :)
I don't need any tests or evidence. It just is.
2. It was quite an interesting watch. This guy goes into the physics of a falling cat and truly expands the topic.
3. Well, falling for a cat is so natural, I think he doesn't really mind it. It is a very natural move for it, so there is no place for pity here.
I watched some videos about this topic before and there was an explanation that it is because of cats' well-grown vestibular system. They have a great orientation in space.
What are your thoughts about this video?
This video does not provide any information about how it works, cats are cute, but nothing more.
Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video) ?
To be honest, I did such experiment with my cat, but not so many times :)
Yes, of course. I have seen a lot of memes with flipping cats and have to make an infinite engine using them :) Thanks for sharing, it was interesting to know how it is working.
What are your thoughts about this video?
I think it is cool, it was very easily described all needed things and how it is working. Moreover, there were some cats, which makes this video even more interesting.
Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video)?
To be honest, for me it was a little bit strange, that the man in this video was throwing cats for 5 or more times. But I think that all cats, who were filmed in this video weren't somehow injured and they are ok. Moreover, the guy on the video used some kind of box and towel and inside the box was something to soften the fall(you can hear it when cat land on the box), so I think it is not so bad.
Not at all, but it looks pretty interesting, probably there are materials exmplaining this in scientific way
2. What are your thoughts about this video?
It's great. It using fancy camera thins like motion effects or look from diffrent perspectives
3. Did you pity the cat as it had to suffer through the process of falling so many times (I felt a little bit angry when I was watching this video)
I don't like to use any animal this way. It could stress them even if the experiment was safe.