Precession

precession, angular momentum Can be found in the yellow cupboard next to the box of balls

Updated on: 06/13/13

To demonstrate the precessional effects of a spinning top.

Two glass tops, overhead projector

Simply hand-spin the tops on the overhead projector. The angular velocity of precession of a top is independent of the angle of slope of the axis of the top and while the top maintains speed this can be shown. As the top straightens up the angular velocity of precession remains constant. As speed of rotation falls away the angular velocity of precession increases and this can also be shown.