Spin Rate and Gyration Angle of a Cylinder

Abstract

The relationship between the height of a spinning cylinder and its rotational period and gyration angle was investigated, with the results compared to the predictions of Batista’s theoretical model for thin discs. 1Five 25 mm radius discs with heights ranging from 25 mm to 100 mm were spun on a smooth granite surface and video recorded at 480 frames per second. The Tracker video analysis program was used to determine the period of rotation as a function of the angle of the disc with respect to the surface. It was found that the theoretical model, which assumes negligible disc height, is not applicable when the height exceeds the radius of the discs.