Why does a top precess?

In the case of a toy top, its weight is acting downwards from its center of mass and the normal force (reaction) of the ground is pushing up on it at the point of contact with the support. These two opposite forces produce a torque which causes the top to precess.

What is the physics of a spinning top?

The spinning tops illustrates several physics concepts including angular momentum, inertia, momentum, centripetal force, potential energy, kinetic energy, torque, friction and gravity. You are applying a force called torque to start the spinning, and that converts the top’s potential energy into kinetic energy.

What motion is a spinning top?

Thus, from this discussion we can easily conclude that a spinning top executes rotational motion since rotational motion is formally defined as the type of motion in which a body moves in a circle about a single line which is the axis of rotation.

Why do tops spin backwards?

A rapidly spinning top will precess in a direction determined by the torque exerted by its weight. The precession angular velocity is inversely proportional to the spin angular velocity, so that the precession is faster and more pronounced as the top slows down.

Why does a spinning top stay upright but that same top will fall over if not spinning?

spinning top becomes almost upright again because it has angular momentum and that means that if an object spins it is resisting its axis of rotation to be precessed and faster it spins more it is resisting this precession to occur so if I tipped it over if it still spins with same angular velocity it will return to …

Do heavier tops spin longer?

Heavy tops spin for a longer time than light ones when launched at the same speed. The faster they’re spinning when launched, the longer they spin. The combination of mass and speed is known as momentum.

What causes a gyroscope to continue spinning?

As the two points rotate, they continue their motion. This effect is the cause of precession. The different sections of the gyroscope receive forces at one point but then rotate to new positions! These forces rotate the wheel in the precession direction.

What is the correct explanation for the spin axis motion?

The usual “explanation” isthat the change in angular momentum must be in the same direction as the torqueon the top – that is, in the sideways direction. The spin axis must movesideways instead of down, but that is just stating the observed facts in fancytechnical words.

How do spinning tops work?

Pictured here is a a spinning top. If you throw the top out and simultaneously pull on the string, the top spins. And you get to see this top spend a lot of time balancing on the sharp tip. (I have taken the liberty of choosing a traditional spinning top from my region of the world, instead of the ones you find elsewhere.)

What happens to angular momentum when the top is spinning fast?

When the top is initially spinning fast, it is pointing straight up and rotating around that axis. Its angular momentum is also pointing straight up and, through dissipative forces, it is decreasing a bit, but still pointing straight up.

What causes the torque that rotates a top upright?

The torque that rotates a top upright, as happens in that youtube video, is due to sliding friction between the top and its supporting surface. Crucial to this effect is the fact that the top in that youtube video has a rounded bottom, instead of coming to a sharp point at the bottom like some tops do.