Practical Gyrostatic Balancing (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

Excerpt from Practical Gyrostatic Balancing

Before proceeding to study the general behaviour of the spinning top we must, however, devote some attention to several important details of the pheno mena which occur with the humbler varieties.

In the first place, there seems to be something very peculiar, when attention is given to the matter, in the mere fact that a top remains vertical when spinning, whereas it can in no way be persuaded to do so when still. This really is the essential property of all spinning mechanisms intended for balancing purposes. A top is in unstable equilibrium when still, and stable equilibrium when spinning at or above a certain rate. Apart from all questions of' form or purpose, we have this first and rather paradoxical fact to grasp.

Now consider another point. A top is spun and strikes the ground obliquely. For a moment or two it persists in this Oblique State, but at the same time performs a circular movement of large radius. Gradually (if on a smooth surface) it becomes less inclined, until finally the axis of Spin is perpendicular. There is thus shown the further property of actually overcoming the force of gravity, and we have to note that under certain conditions a top can do work against the force of gravity.

Let us now study our top a little. I take as the most complete example in ordinary use, the peg top.

It consists of a pear-shaped piece of wood, in the apex of which is inserted a steel peg, circular in section.

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