Top

A top, or spinning top, is a toy that can be spun on an axis, balancing on a point. This motion is produced by holding the axis firmly while pulling a string. An internal weight then rotates, producing an overall circular motion. The top is one of the oldest recognizable toys found on archaeological sites. Spinning tops originated independently in cultures all over the world [D. W. Gould, "The Top," Clarkson Potter, NY, 1973, ISBN: 0-517-504162] . Besides toys, tops have also historically been used for gambling and prophecy. Some role-playing gamers still use tops to augment dice in generating randomized results; it is in this case referred to as a spinner. A thumbtack may also be made to spin on the same principles.

The action of a top relies on the gyroscopic effect for its operation. Typically the top will at first wobble until the shape of the tip and its interaction with the surface force it upright. After spinning upright for an extended period, the angular momentum, and therefore the gyroscopic effect will gradually lessen, leading to ever increasing precession, finally causing the top to topple in a frequently violent last thrash.

In recent years there have been many developments with the technology of the top. Bearing tops, with a tip that spins, have been one of the biggest changes. Fixed tip tops and bearing tops are featured in National Championships in Chico, California and in the World Championships in Orlando, Florida.Fact|date=March 2008

Types of tops

*Concertina top
*Dreidel (also spelled "dradel", "dreidl", or "dreydl")
*Dueling top
**Bei-goma
**Beyblade
*Flaming top
*Floating top
*Gaming top
*Perinola; a six-sided top, very similar to the dreidel, that is used for a similar game in Latin America. [cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=4Q0oAAAAMAAJ&q=perinola+top&dq=perinola+top&ei=gvDOR5PBJZXCzATvyJ2wBQ&pgis=1|author=National Recreation Association|page=92|title=Recreation|year=1965]
*Tippe top
*Trompo
*Whipping top
*Whistling top
*Gasing leper
*Gasing jantung
*Spinja
*Battling top

See also

*Levitron
*Rattleback or celt, a top that reverses its spin direction.
*Gyroscope
*Wizzer
*Bauernroulette
*The Top - Short story by Franz Kafka
*Gee-haw whammy diddle
*Yo-yo

References

External links

* [http://www.topspinning.com The Ultimate Resource for Top Spinning on the Web] [http://www.ta0.com Spinning Top trick videos and links]