Uploaded March 2020 | Updated September 2026, 15 hours ago
These one of a kind tops, called Tippe Tops, have a smooth mushroom-like shape. The tops will self-right themselves when pushed onto its side, and when spun will rotate and slowly turn itself upside down to spin onto its ‘stem’ due to its offset center of mass. The top spins about its center of mass, not the center of contact and therefore the Tippe Top will wobble when spun and gradually turn upside down. This seemingly simple ‘toy’ packs a big scientific punch. You can use it to explain concepts such as moment of inertia, angular momentum, rotational force, gravity, and friction.
These one of a kind tops, called Tippe Tops, have a smooth mushroom-like shape. The tops will self-right themselves when pushed onto its side, and when spun will rotate and slowly turn itself upside down to spin onto its ‘stem’ due to its offset center of mass. The top spins about its center of mass, not the center of contact and therefore the Tippe Top will wobble when spun and gradually turn upside down. This seemingly simple ‘toy’ packs a big scientific punch. You can use it to explain concepts such as moment of inertia, angular momentum, rotational force, gravity, and friction.
