Sliding Top Explorer

Live Script exploring a spinning symmetric top sliding with friction.

This educational Live Script simulates the motion of a symmetric spinning top with a point-like support that is constrained to slide on a horizontal surface subject to Coulomb friction. The angular orientation and center of mass motion are computed numerically according to Newton's laws for rigid body dynamics using quaternions. Various initial conditions may be explored, each illustrated with plots and an animation. The results agree with a textbook calculation using Euler angles in case the support point is fixed.

This script may interest students and instructors of physics with a background in intermediate-level mechanics. 'Try this' suggestions, coding 'Challenges,' hyperlinks, and references are included for further exploration. Additional educational Live Scripts by the author are available here.