Precession of a Gyroscope 

Inexpensive ones work fine- get one here: 
From Amazon: BUY NOW Gyroscopes 

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Precession of a Gyroscope: in defiance of gravity this gyroscope hangs attached only at one end. The physics and vector nature of angular momentum! Notice that as the disk of gyroscope slows down, its axis begins to tilt downward, but interestingly its speed of precession around the vertical increases. Timed my catch just before it fell. 

Kinetic Wonder Rings

Assorted colors to choose from:

From Sling True: BUY NOW: Kinetic Wonder Rings

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Kinetic Wonder Rings: a skill toy that features small rings that “roll” down a thicker steel ring while producing a distinctive ringing chatter sound as they go. Swiping the small rings gets them spinning and gives them angular momentum. Centripetal acceleration then keeps the inside of the small rings in contact with the steel ring so that they roll around as they descend (seen here in 240fps slow motion). The challenge is to rotate the large ring fast enough to keep the small rings in motion. A new take on the “Jitter Gyro Ring” 1990s skill toy craze, produced by Sling True toys.

Thumbler Gyroscopic Desk toy

Avilable here:

From Top Secret Toys: BUY NOW: Thumbler gyro toy

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Gyroscopic Desk Toy: a new unique take on spinning tops and gyroscope type toys where the spin rate is induced by forced precession- that is, by swirling the device by hand at just the right rate. The top of the enclosed top is constrained to move in a circular trough that keeps it at the required precession angle. The physics is similar to the “Dyna Bee” wrist exercisers, but much easier to engage and spin up, and with a unique motion path. The toy is also equipped with LEDs that turn on with a centripetal switch and then create interesting patterns (that are hard to capture due to frame rate issues). A creation of physicist/inventor Gregory Ojakangas. 


Gyroscopically Stabilized Rail Runner

Get this inexpensive toy here:

From Amazon: BUY NOW: Gyroscope Rail Toy

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Gyroscopically Stabilized Rail Runner: this toy remains upright on a single wheel as it travels along any thin rail or tightrope. A flywheel with considerable mass is ramped up to high RPMs via a small motor powered by two AA batteries (a stand is provided for this initial process to complete). Once operating speed is obtained the device will keep its orientation due to conservation of angular momentum, allowing it to seemingly magically balance on one point. The motor also turns the drive wheel which propels the device along any thin guide rail. 

Magnetic Flux Gyro

Magnetic Flux Gyroscope art and other amazing science inspired jewelry available here:

From Foxtail Jewelry: BUY NOW: Kinetic Magnetic Pendants

From Foxtail Jewelry: BUY NOW: Tabletop Magnetic Kinetic Art

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Magnetic Flux Gyroscope: kinetic art on a stand (or on a chain)- physics you can wear, rendered in brass or silver by @foxtailjewelry in collaboration with @physicsfun! Two half-sphere neodymium magnets on chains remain suspended under centripetal acceleration - connected by the invisible but tactile force of magnetic fields. Honored to have this concept featured in the gallery of @foxtailjewelry.

Gyro-Carousel

Get this unique toy and amny other whimsical spinnign tops from this store:

From Etsy: BUY NOW: Gyro-Carousel Globe Tops

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Gyro-Carousel: two terrestrial globe spin tops of the same mass hang balanced on the ends of a beam such that their rotational motion is allowed to transfer to the system as a whole. The tops are set to spin as usual, but here small neodymium magnets are embedded in the tops of their stems which allows them to connect and hang from metal pins in the beam. The angular momentum of each top is slowly transferred to the rotation of the system by the slight force of friction acting at the attachment point on the beam produced by the stem of the spinning top. Studies show that approximately 1% of the original rotational kinetic energy of the tops is transferred to the rotating beam, not much- but enough to produce this interesting effect. A design by physicist Christian Ucke and a product of KreiselArt (Ulrich Büker).

 


Magnetic Flux Gyroscope Pendant: V2

Magnetic Flux Pendants and other amazing science inspired fine jewelry available here:

From Foxtail Jewelry: BUY NOW: Kinetic Magnetic Pendants

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Magnetic Flux Gyroscope Pendant: version 2 of the @foxtailjewelry - @physicsfun collab! Two half-sphere neodymium magnets on chains remain suspended under centripetal acceleration. Another kinetic art necklace design by artist Betsy Yates of @foxtailjewelry who brings this concept to life so elegantly and is currently featuring @physicsfun inspired pendants in her gallery and store.

Magnetic Flux Gyroscope Pendant

Magnetic Flux Pendants and other amazing science inspired jewelry available here:

From Foxtail Jewelry: BUY NOW: Kinetic Magnetic Pendants

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Magnetic Flux Gyroscope Pendant: two neodymium magnets on chains remain suspended by their mutual magnetic attraction. This kinetic art necklace design is from a new line of physics inspired jewelry- a collaboration with designer and artist Betsy Yates of @foxtailjewelry who so masterfully brought this concept to life and is currently featuring @physicsfun inspired pendants in her gallery and store. 


Advanced Gyro Hybrid Spinning Top

Get one from David Fowler's shop: 
From PhysicsHack: BUY NOW: Advanced Gyro
Made with extraordinary craftsmanship and high quality materials, and sold at a very reasonable price! 

See also this other device by Mr. Fowler: Vortex Dome

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Hybrid Gyroscope Top: the Advanced Gyro is a unique design by @physicshack which exhibits a interesting vertical stability phenomenon when placed on this unique stand with three ball bearings that serve to minimize friction and keep the gyro centered. The top defies gravity, due in part to its angular momentum, and its spin axis slowly rises to a stable vertical position from subtle rolling friction interactions with the ball bearings. No pull cord needed, this unique design spins up via friction with a working surface (thin cardboard works well) and applying a circular motion to bring the rotor up to 1000s of RPM. Machined from solid stainless steel this top weighs in at about half a kilo, providing inertia that produces long spin times. Thanks to inventor/designer David Fowler for sending me this fantastic gyro. 

Advanced Gyro: Hybrid Spinning Top

Get one from David Fowler's shop: 
From PhysicsHack: BUY NOW: Advanced Gyro
Made with extraordinary craftsmanship and high quality materials, and sold at a very reasonable price! 

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Hybrid Gyroscope Top: the Advanced Gyro is a new design by @physicshack and in defiance of gravity this gyroscope can hang from a string attached only at one end. No pull cord needed, this unique design spins up via friction with a working surface (thin cardboard works well) and applying a circular motion to bring the rotor up to 1000s of RPM. Machined from solid stainless steel this top weighs in at about half a kilo, providing inertia that produces long spin times. 

WindGyro

Get one here!

From Educational Innovations: BUY NOW: WindGyro

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WindGyro: Spin this top up with a puff of air! Small magnets keep the top secured to the base so that a stream of air will induce rotation as the air flows through the engineered turbine blades of the elegant spiral structure. 


EDC Gyroscope

Precision machined stainless steel gyroscopic spinners avaialbe here:

From Amazon: BUY NOW: EDC Gyroscope

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EDC Gyroscope: a metal rotator spins freely within a gimbal arrangement and features precision bearings used throughout (1 ball bearing in core plus 4 micro-bearings in the intermediate ring). Spin up the center gyro and conservation of angular momentum will keep its axis of rotation pointing in a constant direction even as the outer rings are rotated to and fro. Precision machined from stainless steel- the ultimate spinner!

Jitter Gyro Ring

Available in "pro" metal version and colored rings version: 
From Educational Innovations: BUY NOW Jitter Gyro Ring 

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Jitter Gyro Ring: a 1990s skill toy craze out of New Zealand that features small rings that "roll" down a thicker steel ring and making a characteristic chattering sound as they go. Swiping the small rings gets them spinning and gives them angular momentum. Centripetal acceleration then keeps the inside of the small rings in contact with the steel ring so that they roll around as they descend (seen here in 240fps slow motion). The challenge is to rotate the large ring fast enough to keep the small rings in motion. 

Center of Mass Spinning Top

Available here 
From DaWanda: Magneto Gyro by Kreisel 

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Center of Mass Spinning Top: any 2D shape will spin nicely if spun about an axis through its center of mass. Careful placement of stem (held in place by neodymium magnets) allows the half disk of this acrylic protractor to spin evenly. If the placement is off by even a millimeter the top will not balance. Thanks to Tim Rowett for sending me this unusual top.


Precession of a Gyroscope

Get one here: 
From Amazon: BUY NOW Gyroscopes 

Note: this site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated

Precession of a Gyroscope: in defiance of gravity this gyroscope is supported only at one end. The physics and vector nature of angular momentum! Note that as friction slows the rotor of the gyroscope down, the precession rotation rate gets faster and faster. After some energy loss the gyroscope contacts the table and vibrations move the unit around while the angular momentum maintains its orientation.