The article discusses a unique solution to the age-old problem of wobbly tables, introduced by French physicist André Martin. His method relies on the principle that rotating a square table on uneven ground can allow all four legs to find stable contact points, eliminating spills and frustrations. While the surface level of the tabletop may not be perfect, this approach ensures the legs touch the ground effectively. Martin's findings, showcased in a Nature paper, emphasize mathematical principles that govern stability in physical systems, providing a practical solution for restaurants and cafes.
According to mathematics if you have a square table with legs at the corners, and it's resting on a bumpy floor, there will always be a way of making all four of the legs touch the ground.
His solution is simple - and it just involves rotating the table. 'I've always been able to find one,' he says. 'People are sometimes amazed that it works.'
A physicist has proved that, within reasonable limits, it is always possible to rotate the table to a position where all four legs stand solidly on the ground.
The tabletop may no longer be level, but you can always ensure that all legs touch the ground by rotating the table.
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