Tops are mentioned in classical literature and references are even found in the ancient world. For many children a top is one of the first mechanical toys that they play with by themselves, yet a full appreciation of their motion is rare. My hope is that this article will stimulate the reader's interest in tops, will help with the first stages of understanding, and will provide inspiration for looking into the subject further. As a result of this, teachers will be happy and have the confidence to discuss these wonderful toys with their pupils. The article discusses tops and spinning objects of various types, and relates them to some of the physical principles that they demonstrate.
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