What the Heck is the Broom Challenge & Why Is It Trending?

If you have a pulse and internet access, then you’ve probably heard about the broom challenge this week. All over social media, people have been utilizing physics to make their brooms stand up all on their own. But what started this unexpected phenomenon? Surprisingly, it has nothing to do with Harry Potter and everything to do with NASA. 

It all began yesterday when NASA proclaimed that broomsticks can stand on their own due to gravitational pull. Some took the agency to mean that this was possible on February 10 alone, but thanks to good old-fashioned physics, this is possible every day of the year.

As you see in the video above, if you balance a broom steadily, it should remain upright by itself. (This editor has tried it several times and can confirm that it totally works. Try it for yourself!)

Like with any internet challenge, the masses answered NASAs invitation to try it out immediately.

Our beloved Doug the Pug used his little paws to try the broom challenge, captioning his effort, “Even a pug can do it #broomstickchallenge.”

It’s worth noting that dogs are exceptionally skeptical about the broom challenge, as I learned while trying this out for myself in front of my pup. 

But it’s not just a dog thing. Even Starbucks baristas are in awe of this small feat of physics.

Judging from their reaction, the broom now seems to have earned the same esteem as Pumpkin Spice Lattes in Starbucks locations. 

Others upped the ante and decided to see what would happen if they moved spastically around a standing-up broom. Spoiler alert: Nothing.