Why a spinning top won't fall to the ground?

[feynmann]

Why a spinning top won't fall to the ground?
yes I know this question must have been asked before right? tried looking for it on here but I couldn't find it.

 

[Xezlec]

Why a spinning top won't fall to the ground?
yes I know this question must have been asked before right? tried looking for it on here but I couldn't find it.

I believe it's because of the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyroscopic_Motion" .

The following is a purely intuitive, non-technical description.

When something is rotating in one direction, and you try to rotate it in another direction, it actually tries to move in a completely different direction. So, when the top is spinning about the Z-axis, and it starts to fall over (rotate about the Y-axis), some of that rotation ends up going about the X-axis instead. Because this rotational "falling" does not all go in the same direction, it can't "add up" and fall over as easily.

 

[astrokreng]

A spinning top won't fall to the ground because of the principle of angular momentum. When a top is spinning, it has a significant amount of angular momentum, which is a measure of its rotational motion. This angular momentum helps to counteract the force of gravity pulling the top towards the ground. As long as the top's angular momentum is maintained, it will continue to spin and remain upright. Additionally, the top's spinning motion creates a gyroscopic effect, which also helps to stabilize the top and prevent it from falling over. This is why, even when a spinning top is slightly tilted, it will often correct itself and stay upright. So, in summary, the combination of angular momentum and the gyroscopic effect are what keep a spinning top from falling to the ground.