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Researchers Claim to Have Solved the Perplexing ‘Reverse Sprinkler’ Problem That Stumped Feynman

NYT > Science·July 14, 2026

Researchers have made a breakthrough in solving the long-standing "reverse sprinkler" problem, which had puzzled physicists for over a century. The problem centered on determining the direction a submerged sprinkler would spin when sucking in water, with even renowned physicist Richard Feynman unable to provide a definitive answer. Through careful experimentation, scientists have now been able to provide a clear solution to this perplexing issue. The findings offer new insights into the complex interactions between fluid dynamics and rotational motion.

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