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How does spinning top retain its balance?
How does a spinning top remain balanced on a pointed tip - why doesn't it fall down? For a given top, how can I calculate the RPM speed at which it will fall down? Thanks for taking time in answering this question!
Cheers, Ankur.
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A spinning top is able to retain its balance as its weight is shifting so rapidly, so if you stand it on its point and not spin it, a lot of things will come into play to determin which way it will fall, angle of incline (if any) and imperfections in the spinning top causing more weight on one side than another, or wind can also cause which way it falls, if you are able to get a perfectly flat surface, no wind, and a perfect spinning top with same weight all around, its not going to fall.. it will stay as it is perfectly balanced.. but as this is impossible this wont happen, when it is spinning fast the weight shift changes so it basically has a constant weight around the top, or an average weight, but beacuse its changing so fast it doesnt have time to fall, when it starts to slow it will wobble as it has a chance to fall but not enough, it is hard to dertermine the RPM's at time of falling as all of the factors above come into play.. you need to know the angle of inclination, and wind speed and include all of taht in your calculations, but I really dont think its possible to get the EXACT rpms..
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