Experiment Mu-18
Spinning Football
Description: A
football at rest on a table will be in static equilibrium when it is laying on
the surface with the greatest radius of curvature. In this orientation, the center of gravity is located below the center of curvature of the contact surface. When
given a rapid spin, the football rises and stands on its pointed end. In this orientation, the center of gravity is located above the center of curvature of the contact surface. Spin
makes a statistically unstable position become dynamically stable.
Football
laying on its side.
Position of a spinning football.
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Friday March 13, 2009 8:52 AM
