Free spinning top
A free top is a symmetrical , mostly very fast rotating top that is suspended free of force and therefore no external torques act on it.
Due to the gyroscopic laws (gyroscopic stability or conservation of angular momentum ) he tries to maintain the alignment of his axis of rotation in space. It can only wander a little from its original position due to slight imbalance or friction (see gyro drift ).
In contrast, a tethered top is stabilized in one spatial direction and deviates perpendicularly to it when a deflecting force occurs (see precession ).
Compared to pure translations , free and tethered tops behave like a solid.
Technical applications
The technical importance of free gyroscopes lies primarily in the ability to preserve spatial directions. That's why you use them u. a. in control technology and navigation , for example
- for the control of missiles and missile launches
- as 3D - gyro platforms for hosting satellites and space probes
- as a course top in aviation
- for the spatial orientation of inertial navigation systems .