Curated OER
Toothpick Tops
Students assembly tops and name them 1 - 12 so that they can compare their results. They guess which top they think will spin the best and then record data on "Toothpick Top" table. Using a stopwatch or clock to measure and record the...
Curated OER
Tops: Angular Motion
Students observe different ways that objects spin. In this physics lesson, students observe several objects spinning and use the new vocabulary words "rotate" and "revolve" to describe how the objects spin. The lesson culminates in a...
Science and Mathematics Initiative for Learning Enhancement (SMILE)
Smile: Lab Activity: Tops
The Illinois Institute of Technology provides a lab activity on precession and spinning tops. Designed for primary grades, but easily adapted for any level. Includes directions and assessment ideas.
Other
Glenn Turner: Gyroscope Math Page
The mathematics associated with gyroscopes can be investigated through this interactive page. Users enter critical parameters about gyroscopes and rotational motion descriptors are given.