Kenneth Brecher News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Astronauts on NASA's ISS spin a dreidel in zero gravity for Hanukkah

Physics picks its favorite stories from 2021.

(Inside Science) -- Like millions of people around the world, myself included, Kenneth Brecher grew up spinning dreidels and gambling chocolate money this time of year at his local synagogue. In his youth, the age-old tradition was little more than a game to Brecher. "I would say I had never mentally connected dreidels with physics -- I swear to God," he said. These days, Brecher sees the spinning tops as something more profound: a testament to the complex dynamics of classical toys and a valuable illustration of important physics concepts.

(Inside Science) -- Like millions of people around the world, myself included, Kenneth Brecher grew up spinning dreidels and gambling chocolate money this time of year at his local synagogue. In his youth, the age-old tradition was little more than a game to Brecher. "I would say I had never mentally connected dreidels with physics -- I swear to God," he said. These days, Brecher sees the spinning tops as something more profound: a testament to the complex dynamics of classical toys and a valuable illustration of important physics concepts.

Kenneth Brecher designs spinning tops using mathematical constants, including the Feigenbaum constant, which produces a top with a preferential spinning direction.