AUTHOR=Hantz Péter , Lázár Zsolt I. 

TITLE=Precession Intuitively Explained

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physics

VOLUME=7

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physics/articles/10.3389/fphy.2019.00005

DOI=10.3389/fphy.2019.00005

ISSN=2296-424X

ABSTRACT=<p>Formal explanations of the dynamics of free and heavy tops are considered to be known for centuries. However, intuitive understanding of their unexpected behavior is still a challenge. In this paper, we present elementary force based explanations of precession of heavy symmetric tops, derived in inertial and non-inertial reference frames. Simple calculations are enabled by a model equivalent to a spinning top, namely a square-formed tube carrying a streaming ideal fluid or a frictionless chain. Precession in a combined, gravitational and magnetic field is also discussed.</p>