What is the Kapitza effect?

The Kapitza effect is the stabilization of an inverted pendulum through rapid vertical vibration of its pivot point. When the vibration frequency and amplitude are high enough the normally unstable upside-down position becomes a stable equilibrium. The pendulum actually balances inverted.

Why does vibration stabilize the inverted position?

Rapid vibration modifies the time-averaged effective potential. The oscillating acceleration adds a restoring force at the inverted position creating an effective potential well where there was previously a hilltop. The stability condition requires the vibration acceleration to exceed about twice gravitational pull.

Kapitza Pendulum — Inverted Pendulum Stabilized by Vibration

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Kapitza Pendulum