Why do some tops spin longer than others?
Tops stay upright because they spin fast. When they slow down, they wobble and fall over.
Tops slow down because of friction with the air, the table surface and other tops if they bump each other.
Gyroscopes and yo-yos are super spinners, too. These are terrific ways to learn about inertia, center of gravity and angular momentum.
Now, let’s get spinning!
Try your hand at inventing tops of all kinds…
1. Hershey Kiss Top - Take a Hershey Kiss and turn upside down in the wrapper. Insert a toothpick in the center of the candy. Press on tabletop and give it a spin… the more you spin, the longer it stays up!
2. Gumdrop Top - Turn a (soft)gumdrop upside down and insert a toothpick. Give it a whirl and notice the different spin motion. Compare it to the Hershey Kiss Top. Which can spin the longer?
3. Spool Top - Start with a small empty thread spool and insert a 3/16" x 4" dowel stick sharpened in the pencil sharpener. Glue 4 small popsicle sticks (works best if you cut 2 regular size in halves) on top of the spool.
Give it a spin. Innovate and add glitter stickers on the four sticks to create a cool spool to spin and grin!
4. Paper Plate Top – Find a regular size paper plate and punch a hole in the middle with a sharp pencil. Insert a 3/16" dowel stick cut at approx. 10" and sharpen the end in a pencil sharpener. Glue in place. Add innovations by coloring geometric shapes black and white for some awesome spinning fun!
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