On a Dynamical Top, for exhibiting the phenomena of the motion of a system of invariable form about a fixed point, with some suggestions as to the Earth's motionMaxwell, James Clerk
Science
On a Dynamical Top, for exhibiting the phenomena of the motion of a system of invariable form about a fixed point, with some suggestions as to the Earth's motion
Maxwell, James Clerk
Force and energy; Motion
* By making the moments of inertia very unequal, and in definite
proportion to each other, and by drawing a few strong lines as
diameters of the disc, the combination of motions will produce an
appearance of epicycloids, which are the result of the continued
intersection of the successive positions of these lines, and the cusps
of the epicycloids lie in the curve in which the instantaneous axis
travels. Some of the figures produced in this way are very pleasing.
In order to illustrate the theory of rotation experimentally, we must
have a body balanced on its centre of gravity, and capable of having
its principal axes and moments of inertia altered in form and position
within certain limits. We must be able to make the axle of the
instrument the greatest, least, or mean principal axis, or to make it
not a principal axis at all, and we must be able to _see_ the position
of the invariable axis of rotation at any time. There must be three
adjustments to regulate the position of the centre of gravity, three
for the magnitudes of the moments of inertia, and three for the
directions of the principal axes, nine independent adjustments, which
may be distributed as we please among the screws of the instrument.
Figure: Figure 6
The form of the body of the instrument which I have found most suitable
is that of a bell (fig. 6). $C$ is a hollow cone of brass, $R$ is a
heavy ring cast in the same piece. Six screws, with heavy heads, $x$,
$y$, $z$, $x'$, $y'$, $z'$, work horizontally in the ring, and three
similar screws, $l$, $m$, $n$, work vertically through the ring at
equal intervals. $AS$ is the axle of the instrument, $SS$ is a brass
screw working in the upper part of the cone $C$, and capable of being
firmly clamped by means of the nut $c$. $B$ is a cylindrical brass bob,
which may be screwed up or down the axis, and fixed in its place by the
nut $b$.
The lower extremity of the axle is a fine steel point, finished without
emery, and afterwards hardened. It runs in a little agate cup set in
the top of the pillar $P$. If any emery had been embedded in the steel,
the cup would soon be worn out. The upper end of the axle has also a
steel point by which it may be kept steady while spinning.
When the instrument is in use, a coloured disc is attached to the upper
end of the axle.
It will be seen that there are eleven adjustments, nine screws in the
brass ring, the axle screwing in the cone, and the bob screwing on the
axle. The advantage of the last two adjustments is, that by them large
alterations can be made, which are not possible by means of the small
screws.
The first thing to be done with the instrument is, to make the steel
point at the end of the axle coincide with the centre of gravity of the
whole. This is done roughly by screwing the axle to the right place
nearly, and then balancing the instrument on its point, and screwing
the bob and the horizontal screws till the instrument will remain
balanced in any position in which it is placed.
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