The “Littlewood's” hopping hoop dynamics
Abstract
We present an analysis of model for the motion of massive “Littlewood's” hopping hoop. It includes the analytic conditions required for the hoop to hop and for the normal reaction force not to vanish throughout the motion, discusses the contradictory phenomenon called “quasi-jump,” and suggest that “skimming” motion is impossible in corresponding model. We find that the hoop may either hop at the first instant of release, or not at all.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Experimental and Theoretical Physics Studies
Quantum chaos and dynamical systems
Sports Dynamics and Biomechanics
Publication details
- Journal / source
- American Journal of Physics
- Publisher
- American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
- Volume
- 94
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 359–362
- Publication date
- 22 April 2026
- Language
- EN