The hair on your head doesn't all grow in the same direction — most of us have a cowlick or two. The same goes for wind on Earth. In fact, there's a bizarrely named theorem that says it's impossible for wind (or hair!) to all move in the same direction on a sphere like the Earth. It's called the hairy ball theorem.
Come Again?
You Spin Me Right Round
The Hairy Ball Theorem
Key Facts In This Video
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If you tried to comb the hair on a hairy sphere flat, you would fail—some hair will need to stand up. 00:01
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The Hair Ball Theorem proves that hair on a sphere can never be laid completely flat. 00:16
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The Hair Ball Theorem implies that there is always a place on Earth where the wind is not blowing. 00:45
Written by
Ashley Hamer
November 29, 2017
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