A characterization of the symmetry groups of mono-monostatic convex bodies (Q6097048): Difference between revisions

A three-dimensional convex body is called monostable if, when equipped with homogeneous mass density and put on a horizontal plane in a vertical uniform gravitational field, it has precisely one stable position of equilibrium. More delicate is a mono-monostatic body (also known as ``gömböc''), which has precisely two equilibrium positions, one stable and one unstable. The existence of such bodies was proved by \textit{P. L. Varkonyi} and \textit{G. Domokos} [J. Nonlinear Sci. 16, No. 3, 255--281 (2006; Zbl 1149.70309)], answering a question of Vladimir I. Arnold. The present paper first gives precise definitions of mono-monostatic bodies, both for smooth bodies and polyhedra. Its main result is then the determination of all possible symmetry groups (necessarily finite) of mono-monostatic bodies which are either smooth or polyhedral. Moreover, it is shown that any such body with given symmetry group can be chosen arbitrarily close to a ball. This extends earlier results of \textit{Z. Lángi} [Bull. Lond. Math. Soc., 54, No. 2, 501--516 (2022; \url{doi:10.1112/blms.12579})].