- #1
Kenny Lee
- 76
- 0
As I understand, precession (of top) occurs because the torque generated by weight causes a change in the angular momentum of spin. Since the angular momentum of spin is along the axis of rotation, precession results.
Here I can 'picture' the directional nature of torque.
But let's say if there was no spin, and there was a torque generated about the contact point because of weight anyway. The top topples over as a result; why doesn't the motion of the top coincide with the direction of torque.
Now that I think about what I've said, it doesn't really make sense...
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Here I can 'picture' the directional nature of torque.
But let's say if there was no spin, and there was a torque generated about the contact point because of weight anyway. The top topples over as a result; why doesn't the motion of the top coincide with the direction of torque.
Now that I think about what I've said, it doesn't really make sense...
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.