 ##  [Hairy Ball Theorem](/hairy-ball-theorem) 

  ##  [Hairy Ball Theorem](https://puremath.quantumdictionary.io/hairy-ball-theorem-0) 

  

 [![Pure Mathematics Dictionary](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2026-01/Pure%20Mathematics.png.webp?itok=5pZnFQ59)](/topic-specific-dictionaries/mathematics-logic/pure-mathematics)

- Mathematics &amp; Logic -

**Pure Mathematics Dictionary**

 







 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Definition

A topological theorem stating that any continuous tangent vector field on the 2-sphere S2 must vanish at at least one point; more generally, any continuous tangent vector field on an even-dimensional n-sphere has a zero. In particular there is no nowhere-vanishing continuous tangent vector field on S2.