Abstract
THE following account of a simple experiment may be of interest to some of the readers of NATURE. The common peg-top and tee-totum are commonly referred to as affording a good example of the phenomenon of precession. I do not think that it is generally known that the motion of nutation can be beautifully shown by the same simple means. Sir John Herschel says in his “Outlines of Astronomy” that the motion of precession can be shown by “that amusing toy, the te-to-tum, which, when delicately executed and nicely balanced, becomes an elegant philosophical instrument.” If, however, the teetotum is not perfectly balanced we have realised the conditions for showing nutation also. If the earth were perfectly homogeneous and undisturbed by any outside irregularity, there would be no nutation. In the same way a tee-totum will not exhibit the motion of nutation if it be perfectly balanced. When, however, one side is made heavier than the other we obtain the phenomenon of nutation. The magnitude of the nutation increases with the extra weight. A series of experiments was made by spinning a small clock wheel on its axis. The best way to see the result is to spin the wheel on a white plate which has been smoked. The trace thus obtained may be studied perfectly. In order to get a permanent record, the wheel was made to spin on a piece of clear glass which had been slightly smoked. The record thus obtained may be used as an oordinary negative, and prints obtained on sensitive paper in the ordinary way. With a little care very beautiful and instructive results may be obtained. The little apparatus may also be projected on the screen, and the actual formation of the curve exhibited.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
GILL, H. Experiment to Illustrate Precession and Nutation. Nature 67, 586 (1903). https://doi.org/10.1038/067586a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/067586a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.