Mi-13 Spinning Top

Aim

To demonstrate precession using a spinning top.

Apparatus

  • Spinning Top

Spinning Top 1 Spinning Top 2

Spinnig Top 3

Description

A spinning top is set in motion by pressing down on the handle several times. When the spinning slightly off the vertical it will begin to precess (i.e. wobble). It may temporarily spin about a vertical axis it won’t precess.  As the spinning top loses speed due to friction will begin to precess. When the axis of rotation deviates further the vertical the faster it will precess.

Safety Notes

Spinning Top SOP-56