MHB Is $\omega^2$ nowhere vanishing on the four-sphere?

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    2016
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The discussion centers on the problem of whether the wedge product of a two-form $\omega$ on the four-sphere, denoted as $\omega^2$, is nowhere vanishing. Participants have not provided any answers to the posed question. The original poster has shared their solution, indicating that the problem remains unsolved by others in the thread. The topic invites exploration of the properties of differential forms on manifolds. The lack of responses suggests a challenging nature of the problem.
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Here is this week's POTW:

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If $\omega$ is a two-form on the four-sphere, is $\omega^2$ (i.e., $\omega \wedge \omega$) nowhere vanishing?

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No one answered this week's problem. You can read my solution below.
The answer is no. Suppose to the contrary that $\omega$ is nowhere vanishing. Then $\omega^2$, being a 4-form on a compact oriented 4-manifold has nonzero integral. The de Rham cohomology groups of the four-sphere are $\Bbb R$ in dimensions zero and four, and zero in every other dimension. Thus, $\omega$ is exact. If $\omega = d\eta$, then $\omega^2 = d(\eta \wedge d\eta)$. So $\omega^2$ is exact; its integral is zero by Stokes's theorem. This is absurd.