🔬#MESExperiments 30: Magnetic Spinning Top Aligns Opposite of Both Gravity and Magnetic Attraction

In #MESExperiments 30 I continue with the the GyroTop magnetic spinning top from Experiments 28 and 29, and this time showcase that it behaves the same way with gravity as it does with magnetic attraction. I demonstrate this by turning the GyroTop side-ways and then slowly extending it outwards so that the magnetic attraction becomes less while the downward force of gravity plays a more dominant role. One would expect that the spinning top would fall downwards as it extends further away from the magnetic but counterintuitively it rises upwards against gravity!

This is similar to its tendency to move opposite of the magnetic attraction, and the direction the GyroTop points can be considered as opposite of the vector sum of both gravity and magnetism. Truly remarkable stuff!

#MESExperiments Hybrid Gyro Top.jpeg

The timestamps of key moments of the experiment are listed below.

  1. Spinning up the GyroTop: 0:00
  2. Gradually Extending the GyroTop from a Horizontal Position: 0:33
  3. Gradually Pulling Back the GyroTop from its Risen Position: 1:14
  4. Extending the GyroTop Even Further: 1:21
  5. Pulling Back the GyroTop Again: 1:45
  6. GyroTop Hits the Magnetic Base: 1:57

Stay tuned for #MESExperiments 31...


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Screenshots of Experiment

Here are screenshots of the experiment for reference.

In the first step I use a power drill (or Dremel) to spin up the spinning top.

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I then turn the GyroTop slowly until it is horizontal.

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I then extend the GyroTop gradually until it is clearly visible that it is rising upwards against gravity.

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I gradually pull back the GyroTop to show that it once again moves to be level or opposite the magnetic attraction.

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I extend it again.

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I extend it even further to demonstrate that if it had better footing, it can rise completely against gravity!

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I gradually pull the top back until it slows down and finally hits the magnetic base.

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I place the GyroTop on the table and zoom out.

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View the rest of my #MESExperiments video series: @mes/list


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