Code Number: 1Q50.90

Demo Title: Maxwell's Tops

Condition: Good

Principle: Precession

Area of Study: Mechanics

Equipment:

Maxwell's Tops.

Procedure:

This is a demonstration of stability about a pivot point. One of the tops has a pivot point above the center of mass and is stable on the pivot whether it is spinning or not. The other has the pivot point below the center of mass and is therefore only stable when spinning.

References:

Adolf Cortel, "Conservation of Angular Momentum with a Plastic Dish", TPT, Vol. 42, # 2, Feb. 2004, p. 122.
Mu-13, Freier and Anderson, A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.
"1.108, Diabolos", The Flying Circus of Physics, p. 53.

1Q50.90 - Maxwell's Tops

Disclaimer

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