SIGMA 10 (2014), 017, 18 pages      arXiv:1306.2470      https://doi.org/10.3842/SIGMA.2014.017

Dynamics of an Inverting Tippe Top

Stefan Rauch-Wojciechowski and Nils Rutstam
Department of Mathematics, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

Received September 05, 2013, in final form February 18, 2014; Published online February 27, 2014

Abstract
The existing results about inversion of a tippe top (TT) establish stability of asymptotic solutions and prove inversion by using the LaSalle theorem. Dynamical behaviour of inverting solutions has only been explored numerically and with the use of certain perturbation techniques. The aim of this paper is to provide analytical arguments showing oscillatory behaviour of TT through the use of the main equation for the TT. The main equation describes time evolution of the inclination angle $\theta(t)$ within an effective potential $V(\cos\theta,D(t),\lambda)$ that is deforming during the inversion. We prove here that $V(\cos\theta,D(t),\lambda)$ has only one minimum which (if Jellett's integral is above a threshold value $\lambda>\lambda_{\text{thres}}=\frac{\sqrt{mgR^3I_3\alpha}(1+\alpha)^2}{\sqrt{1+\alpha-\gamma}}$ and $1-\alpha^2$ < $\gamma=\frac{I_1}{I_3}$ < $1$ holds) moves during the inversion from a neighbourhood of $\theta=0$ to a neighbourhood of $\theta=\pi$. This allows us to conclude that $\theta(t)$ is an oscillatory function. Estimates for a maximal value of the oscillation period of $\theta(t)$ are given.

Key words: tippe top; rigid body; nonholonomic mechanics; integrals of motion; gliding friction.

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