If we try to stand up an axisymmetric top with one point fixed that is not spinning, it will pivot about its point of contact. A torque will be generated by its own weight, turning its center of mass about the pivot into the surface on which it stands. a) From a qualitative standpoint (no calculations) what happens instead while the top is spinning? What is this phenomenon called? Has the torque generated by its own weight disappeared? b) Bikes and motorcycles tend to tumble pivoting on the bottom of their own wheels when the wheels are not spinning. They become a lot more stable when the wheels start turning, and more stable with more angular speed. Is this the same mechanism that stabilizes the spinning axisymmetric top? This is also still a conceptual question. Explain your reasoning.
If we try to stand up an axisymmetric top with one point fixed that is not spinning, it will pivot about its point of contact. A torque will be generated by its own weight, turning its center of mass about the pivot into the surface on which it stands.
a) From a qualitative standpoint (no calculations) what happens instead while the top is spinning? What is this phenomenon called? Has the torque generated by its own weight disappeared?
b) Bikes and motorcycles tend to tumble pivoting on the bottom of their own wheels when the wheels are not spinning. They become a lot more stable when the wheels start turning, and more stable with more angular speed. Is this the same mechanism that stabilizes the spinning axisymmetric top? This is also still a conceptual question. Explain your reasoning.
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