Why Do Things Spin? Solar Systems, Planets, Galaxies

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the reasons behind the spinning motion of various celestial objects, including solar systems, planets, and galaxies. It touches on concepts related to rotational motion and the forces involved, as well as the principles of angular momentum.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the term "wobble" and seek clarification on its meaning in the context of motion.
  • One participant suggests that off-center forces can cause spinning, indicating a relationship between force application and rotational motion.
  • Another participant draws an analogy between rotational motion and linear motion, stating that curving motion requires a force, similar to how rotational motion operates.
  • Conservation of angular momentum is mentioned as a key principle relevant to the discussion of why objects spin.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express confusion over terminology but agree on the relevance of angular momentum to the discussion. However, the overall question remains open-ended, with no consensus on a singular explanation for why objects spin.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the definitions of "wobble" and the nature of forces acting on objects are not fully explored. The discussion does not resolve the relationship between linear and rotational motion in detail.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in physics concepts related to motion, forces, and angular momentum may find this discussion relevant.

piccini9
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Solar systems, planets, spiral galaxies. (Atoms?) What causes objects to spin, rather than just wobble around?
 
Last edited:
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF.

What does "wobble around" mean? If something has a force applied offcenter, it spins because of the uncentered force. I'm not sure quite how else to explain it.
 
I share russ's confusion with the term "wobble" but I think the answer to this analogous question might help:

Why do things move in a straight line rather than just curve around?

Of course, the answer to this is that any curving motion requires a force to be acting. The situation is the same for rotational motion.
 
Conservation of angular momentum.
 
resaypi said:
Conservation of angular momentum.


Thank you, that makes perfect sense.
 

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