1Q60.16 - Old Fashioned Top

See Procedure.
Code Number:
1Q60.16
Demo Title:
Old Fashioned Top
Condition:
Fair
Principle:
Conservation of Angular Momentum about Vertical Axis
Area of Study:
Mechanics
Equipment:
Old Fashioned Top.
Procedure:

NOTE:  this is a very difficult one to do, it will require much practice.  

Flip the top out of your hand much the same way you would do a yo-yo.  As the top is unwinding on the string you must pull the string up so that the string is completely off of the top by the time the top hits the floor.  Once on the floor, even though the top was started at a shallow angle, the top should stand up straight and spin for several minutes.

References:
  • Richard Harding, Robert Prigo, "The Yo-Yo Top", TPT, Vol. 22, # 1, Jan. 1984, p. 36.
  • Ledo Stefanini, "Behavior of a Real Top", AJP, Vol. 47, #4, April 1979, p. 346.
  • Mu- 3,  Freier and Anderson,  A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.
  • Jearl Walker, "1.104, Personalities of Tops", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 52.
  • Jearl Walker,  "The Physics of Spinning Tops, Including Some Far-Out Ones",  The Amateur Scientist, March, 1981.
  • "Wild Top", The Boy Mechanic, p. 197, ISBN 978-1-58816-509-1.
  • "An Austrian Top", The Boy Mechanic, p. 196, ISBN 978-1-58816-509-1.

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.