Balancing Brooms, Eggs - and the Vernal Equinox

There has been much Facebook activity in recent days relating to the balancing of brooms. It is, some claim, the result of the vernal equinox. This is supposedly the same phenomenon that enables people to balance an egg on end. There was plenty of proof of this, at least of the broom. Facebook after Facebook posting showed uploaded pictures of brooms – just standing there. 

So is it a phenomenon linked to the vernal equinox? According to the experts - No.

Dave Emery of About.com said, firstly, the equinox doesn’t occur until March 20. He also suggests that all those brooms will stand on their own a week from now, a month from now, or for that matter any other time of the year. It’s all in finding the right balance point. The same goes for the egg.

Emery claims the trick with the broom is enough pressure on the bristles forcing them apart enough to form a stable base. That is what allows it to continue to stand by itself.

So as much conversation as the balancing brooms have spurred on Facebook recently, apparently there is nothing phenomenal about it at all. It’s just another one of those pesky urban legends. However, if you were one of those who successfully found that balance point and uploaded it to Facebook, feel free to share it here on Patch or on the Oconee Patch Facebook page!