The Turnover of a Tippy Top

Hilary Ockendon(University of Oxford)

Abstract

The turnover of a tippy top is governed by gravity, inertia and, crucially, friction forces. The full model involves 15 differential-algebraic equations with 8 initial conditions and 2 parameters that characterise the top. This paper shows that, in everyday conditions, these equations can be reduced dramatically to reveal the key inequality that must be satisfied for turnover to occur. This inequality involves only the friction coefficient, the geometric and inertial asphericities of the top, the initial tilt and the vertical angular velocity, which remains almost constant.

The Turnover of a Tippy Top (PDF Download Available). Available from: https:// www.researchgate.net/publication/284246674_The_Turnover_of_a_Tippy_Top [accessed Apr 03 2018].