Tippe Top

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Tippe Top

A top Spinning on its head instead of the bottom

PIRA: 1Q60.30

Materials: The Tippe Top

When the tippe top is spun, the handle slowly leans toward the surface until the rest of the top is lifted up completely. Ask the students how it is that the center of mass can be raised, increasing the total potential energy of the top, without violating the conservation of energy. What physical agent is doing the work?