ESP Biography



JONATHAN ABBOTT, The Physics of Unicycling




Major: Mechanical Engineering

College/Employer: MIT

Year of Graduation: G

Picture of Jonathan Abbott

Brief Biographical Sketch:

As a unicyclist since third grade, I spent hours upon hours learning to balance and ride. Often receiving the question, "How can you do that?" I tried figuring out how I was actually able to balance. Applying Newtonian Mechanics, I learned how to unicycle better and learned to apply physics to other areas including bicycles, pogo sticks, balance beams, and more. I ultimately taught a similar seminar (which I labeled "Physics to the Extreme") on my last day of school as a senior, and this experience was one of my favorite moments of high school. By the way, you don't have to know that much about physics (nor unicycling) to come. Just be pumped!



Past Classes

  (Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

S8564: Physics of Unicycling in Splash 2014 (Nov. 22 - 23, 2014)
Every wondered how somebody balances on a unicycle? Or curious about how Newton's laws apply to the real world? Come learn all about how! There will be live demos and lots of fun!


S7660: Physics of Unicycling (and other fun stuff!) in Splash! 2013 (Nov. 23 - 24, 2013)
Every wondered how somebody balances on a unicycle? Or curious about how Newton's laws apply to the real world? Come learn all about how! There will be live demos and lots of fun!


S6215: Physics of Unicycling in Splash! 2012 (Nov. 17 - 18, 2012)
Every wondered how somebody balances on a unicycle? Or curious about how Newton's laws apply to the real world. Come learn all about how! There will be live demos and lots of fun!


S5186: Fun Side of Mechanics in Splash! 2011 (Nov. 19 - 20, 2011)
Learn a little about classical mechanics as we *Splash* into elements of balance. Learn the true fun-damentals of balancing on a unicycle, as well as similar applications to biking, jumping on a pogo stick, and and even kayaking.


S4765: The Fun Side of Mechanics in HSSP Summer 2011 (Jul. 10, 2011)
This course aims to teach introductory mechanics through physics’ amazing applications. Expect unicycling, diablo spinning, rolla bolla balancing, parachuting, and (painless) pillow fighting. Learn why physics matters in your life. Math included, but we eat the “dessert” first.


S4766: The Fun Side of Mechanics in HSSP Summer 2011 (Jul. 10, 2011)
This course aims to teach introductory mechanics through physics’ amazing applications. Expect unicycling, diablo spinning, rolla bolla balancing, parachuting, and (painless) pillow fighting. Learn why physics matters in your life. Math included, but we eat the “dessert” first.


S3950: Physics of Unicycling in Splash! 2010 (Nov. 20 - 21, 2010)
Ever wondered how one balances on a unicycle? Learn the physics behind balance, turning, accelerating, and idling on a unicycle. All are welcome, regardless of previous unicycling and/or physics ability.