iTopSpin

Current Posts => Latest Spin => Topic started by: Kirk on June 15, 2014, 07:15:58 PM

Title: Spinning Top in a Vacuum Chamber
Post by: Kirk on June 15, 2014, 07:15:58 PM

Fun!  The effect of air resistance is so amazing it is a wonder that bearing tops spin as long as they do.  Perhaps an S8 or Chico top in a vacuum chamber is still spinning some where. :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTt_hoWtMIc

Title: Re: Spinning Top in a Vacuum Chamber
Post by: the Earl of Whirl on June 15, 2014, 10:06:26 PM

Great video.  It is something I know about, of course, but it is quite dramatic when you see the visual demonstration!

Title: Re: Spinning Top in a Vacuum Chamber
Post by: Jack on June 16, 2014, 03:44:32 PM

never heard of this, very interesting to see  :o

Title: Re: Spinning Top in a Vacuum Chamber
Post by: ta0 on June 16, 2014, 04:33:05 PM

Nice demonstration!

The shape of that top causes much more air drag than our tops.  The effect wouldn't be as spectacular with ours.
But it is an experiment I had wanted to do for a long time. Actually, professor Greenler (the presenter of the "Why does a spinning top stop?" lecture) proposes that experiment in his book Chasing Rainbows. He wonders if the largest loss of spin of a peg top is due to the air friction or the tip friction. His guess was the air friction if I recall correctly, but he wasn't sure.