Uploaded February 2012 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Here we qualitatively compare the behavior of spinning tops with flows in spinning fluids. The stationary top falls over, whereas the spinning top is supported by gyroscopic forces. Using packets of creamer, we show that dense fluid rapidly falls through a stationary tank of water, then forms a gravity current and coats the tank bottom. In contrast, Coriolis forces can support the creamer in the spinning tank of fluid. Thus spinning fluids have gyroscopic properties not unlike spinning tops.
Here we qualitatively compare the behavior of spinning tops with flows in spinning fluids. The stationary top falls over, whereas the spinning top is supported by gyroscopic forces. Using packets of creamer, we show that dense fluid rapidly falls through a stationary tank of water, then forms a gravity current and coats the tank bottom. In contrast, Coriolis forces can support the creamer in the spinning tank of fluid. Thus spinning fluids have gyroscopic properties not unlike spinning tops.
