Precession Intuitively Explained

Precession Intuitively Explained

Formal explanations of the dynamics of free and heavy tops are considered to be known for centuries. However, intuitive understanding of their unexpected behavior is still a challenge. In this paper, we present elementary force based explanations of precession of heavy symmetric tops, derived in ine...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in physics Vol. 7
Main Authors: Hantz, Péter, Lázár, Zsolt I.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A 08-02-2019
Subjects:
gyroscope
heavy top
intuitive explanation
precession
spinning top
square wheel model
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Formal explanations of the dynamics of free and heavy tops are considered to be known for centuries. However, intuitive understanding of their unexpected behavior is still a challenge. In this paper, we present elementary force based explanations of precession of heavy symmetric tops, derived in inertial and non-inertial reference frames. Simple calculations are enabled by a model equivalent to a spinning top, namely a square-formed tube carrying a streaming ideal fluid or a frictionless chain. Precession in a combined, gravitational and magnetic field is also discussed.
ISSN:2296-424X
2296-424X
DOI:10.3389/fphy.2019.00005