Mechanical singularity
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In engineering, a mechanical singularity is a position or configuration of a mechanism or a machine where the subsequent behaviour cannot be predicted, or the forces or other physical quantities involved become infinite or nondeterministic.
When the underlaying engineering equations of a mechanism or machine are evaluated at the singular configuration (if any exists), then those equations exhibit mathematical singularity.
Examples of mechanical singularities are gimbal lock, and the wobbly, chaotic motion of excessively tall flagpoles or chimneys right before collapse.
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