The Rattleback (Wobblestone) Phenomenon

By Queuebot in Gadgets, Hacks & Mods, Science & Tech, Toys, Video Clips on Mar 31, 2009 at 1:26 pm


[YouTube - Link]


A rattleback or wobblestone is an object with a smooth bottom that can be spun like a top. Unlike conventional tops, however, the rattleback has an asymmetry which gives it a preferred direction of spin. If spun in the opposite direction, it will begin to wobble, and then change the direction of its spin.

It would seem that if a spinning object changes the direction of its spin, it is defying the law of conservation of angular momentum, but apparently it is the rocking/wobbling motion that is converted into counter-rotational motion, not the initial rotation.

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by Minnesotastan.


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  1. Guybrush Threepwood
    Mar 31st, 2009 at 1:48 pm

    I swear… I had to read this article 3 times to BEGIN to understand it. And had to watch the video to finally get it :)

  2. MadMolecule
    Mar 31st, 2009 at 3:43 pm

    The original spin is converted into the rocking/wobbling motion, which is then converted into the counterspin. I’ve seen these things given out to kids as party favors. Pretty cool.


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