How a Yo-Yo Works: Exploring the Physics Behind It

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In summary, a yo-yo stays attached to the string through a slip knot mechanism and is moved by gravity and tension. The shape of the yo-yo affects its performance, with wider yo-yos being easier to spin and narrower ones spinning faster but harder to control. The type of bearing also affects play, with flat, concave, and center trac bearings each having a different impact on stability, speed, and responsiveness. The length of the string also plays a role, with longer strings allowing for more tricks and longer spin times, but shorter strings providing more control.
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Feynmanfan
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Dear friends,

Here's a problem I can't solve. The disk on the picture falls under influence of gravity. The horizontal table creates no friction and the string that binds mass m and the disk is rolled up around the disk. The center of mass of the disk falls vertically.

My question is: what's the condition it has to satisfy, so that this last statement is true?

Do you think it's true that the disk will fall faster if it were attached to the pole?

Thanks for your help!
 

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1. How does a yo-yo stay attached to the string?

A yo-yo stays attached to the string through a mechanism called a slip knot. This knot allows the yo-yo to spin freely when the string is pulled, but also keeps it attached to the string.

2. What forces are involved in making a yo-yo move?

There are two main forces involved in making a yo-yo move: gravity and tension. Gravity pulls the yo-yo downwards, while tension from the string pulls it upwards. When the yo-yo is thrown, these forces work together to make it spin.

3. How does the shape of a yo-yo affect its performance?

The shape of a yo-yo plays a crucial role in its performance. A wider yo-yo will have a larger moment of inertia, making it easier to keep spinning and perform tricks. A narrower yo-yo, on the other hand, will spin faster but may be more difficult to control.

4. What are the different types of yo-yo bearings and how do they affect play?

There are three main types of yo-yo bearings: flat bearings, concave bearings, and center trac bearings. Each type has a different shape and affects the string's contact with the yo-yo, which can impact the yo-yo's stability, speed, and responsiveness.

5. How does the length of the string affect a yo-yo's performance?

The length of the string can greatly impact a yo-yo's performance. A longer string will allow for more string tricks and longer spin times, but can also be more difficult to control. A shorter string will provide more control, but may limit the types of tricks that can be performed.

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