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Author Topic: Name for this toy/device?  (Read 2107 times)

grislyatoms

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Name for this toy/device?
« on: October 24, 2008, 05:03:16 PM »
Remember these?

http://www.things2make.com/Things2make_files/Instructions%20over%205/Spinning%20Disk.htm

Kiddo and I were playing with one last night, and I would like to get some history on them/terms for the physics involved that a 10 year old could understand.

I tried to explain centrifugal force / gyroscopic effect but don't think I did a very good job... =|
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MechAg94

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Re: Name for this toy/device?
« Reply #1 on: October 24, 2008, 05:21:19 PM »
Isn't that more along the lines of conservation of momentum with maybe some spring-type action from the string? 
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Perd Hapley

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Re: Name for this toy/device?
« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2008, 05:32:07 PM »
It is the Devil's work!!
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MechAg94

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Re: Name for this toy/device?
« Reply #3 on: October 24, 2008, 05:34:58 PM »
Centrifugal force doesn't apply in this case.  It deals with the apparent force of an object being held in a circular motion.  It is really just newton's law or conservation of momentum.  A object traveling in a circle is trying to go in a straight line, but a force is pulling it around such that it is constantly changing direction.  That force is what is referred to as centrifugal force.  Take it away and the object flies off in a straight line.    
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MechAg94

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Re: Name for this toy/device?
« Reply #4 on: October 24, 2008, 05:37:25 PM »
Quote from: Mr. Tactical pants on October 24, 2008, 05:32:07 PM
It is the Devil's work!!
God created this universe sir, not the Devil!!   :angel:
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Perd Hapley

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Re: Name for this toy/device?
« Reply #5 on: October 24, 2008, 06:10:52 PM »
Quote
Name for this toy/device?

Let's call it Nigel. 
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AZRedhawk44

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Re: Name for this toy/device?
« Reply #6 on: October 24, 2008, 06:16:38 PM »
Quote from: Mr. Tactical pants on October 24, 2008, 06:10:52 PM
Let's call it Nigel. 

I like Sterrance.

Or... Da Huuuuudge.
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seeker_two

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Re: Name for this toy/device?
« Reply #7 on: October 24, 2008, 09:42:28 PM »
Some call it "Tim".....
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280plus

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Re: Name for this toy/device?
« Reply #8 on: October 24, 2008, 10:24:57 PM »
Doesn't it also demonstrate potential energy vs kinetic energy?
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AmbulanceDriver

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Re: Name for this toy/device?
« Reply #9 on: October 25, 2008, 02:38:53 AM »
And inertia.  Don't forget inertia.
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brimic

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Re: Name for this toy/device?
« Reply #10 on: October 25, 2008, 03:10:16 AM »
Dad used to make those for us when we were kids- he'd find heavy buttons from things like coats.

Its basicly a flywheel.

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grislyatoms

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Re: Name for this toy/device?
« Reply #11 on: October 25, 2008, 09:18:00 AM »
Sorry, I wasn't real clear...

The one we have has a little spring loaded "swingarm" in it that will close a circuit causing a pattern of lights when it gets spinning fast enough.

Also, when it is spinning if you try to change the angle of it's axis, it resists it.

Thanks for all the input.

So, no real name for this other than "Intriguing little spinning-disk-flywheel-on-a-string-toy"? =D 

Nigel, Sterrance, Tim and Da Huuuuudge. I see.  =D
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Harold Tuttle

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Re: Name for this toy/device?
« Reply #12 on: October 25, 2008, 01:10:56 PM »
they are called buzzsaws

http://library.thinkquest.org/6400/buzz%20saw.htm


or the really cool wooden leaf ones are bullroarers

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/779573/bullroarer_34_second_how_to/

more fun can be had with gyroscopic tops like the old wizzers
http://www.snowcrest.net/fox/wiz.html

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