DemoTK3 minMeeting 8

Rattleback Reverses Direction

In one direction it wobbles, stops, and reverses.

Teaching & key ideas

What you do: Spin it one way, then the other. What students see: In one direction it wobbles, stops, and reverses. Why it works: Its asymmetric shape couples rocking and spinning; friction transfers energy between motions. Question to ask: Why does it only like one spinning direction?

Lesson flow

Predict → demonstrate → observe → briefly explain → ask: Why does it only like one spinning direction?