What you will need:
a cork or plastic stopper;
a little glue.
Method:
Make a small hole in the center of the cap (adult operation).
Insert the toothpick.
Make sure it is straight.
Let it dry.
Already in this way the spinning top works perfectly!
3.2 Spinning top with cardboard (ages 6 and up)
What you will need:
scissors;
toothpick;
glue.
Method:
Draw one or more circles on the cardboard.
Cut them out.
Layer them to give weight.
Insert the toothpick and paste.
Here children can experiment: multiple layers, different shapes, different sizes.
4. Decorating: creativity and art
Decoration is not just aesthetic: it is part of the experiment.
Radial Lines
Spirals
Contrasting colors
Symmetrical designs
When the spinning top spins, the colors mix, creating amazing optical effects. It is a first approach to the illusion of movement and visual perception.
5. The physics of the spinning top explained to children (and adults)
5.1 Why doesn’t the spinning top fall off?
When the spinning top turns, a great protagonist of physics comes into play: angular momentum.
In simple words:
an object that spins “wants to keep spinning”;
The faster it spins, the more stable it is.
This is the same principle that allows you to:
a bicycle to stay balanced;
a skater to turn on himself;
the planets to orbit.
5.2 The balance that surprises
When stationary, the spinning top falls.
On the move, stay on your feet.
This is a great place to start asking questions:
What changes?
Why does movement make stable?
What happens if it slows down?
Continue reading…
