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'Feynman and followers, you guys are off': Physicists disprove decades-old Richard Feynman theory on 'silly' sprinklers

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Larissa G. Capella
'Feynman and followers, you guys are off': Physicists disprove decades-old Richard Feynman theory on 'silly' sprinklers
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Physicists have finally resolved a long-standing mystery regarding the behavior of 'reverse' sprinklers that suck in water. The study explains the fluid dynamics that previously baffled Richard Feynman and other scientists for decades.

Why it matters

It settles a famous physics puzzle, demonstrating how modern experimental techniques can solve historical scientific debates.

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Scientists have pinned down why a sprinkler spins when it sucks in water instead of spraying it out - a problem that stumped Richard Feynman and has divided physicists for nearly a century.

By Larissa G. Capella Published 27 July 2026 In News When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works .

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