The Physics of a Hanukkah Dreidel

12/12/17

“How does a Hanukkah dreidel spin?”

 

Hanukkah dreidels are great fun for people of all ages. These little tops are able to spin round and round with a very peculiar pattern. However, why exactly do they spin? Well, let’s use our scientific mindset to find out. All spinning objects with mass have a property called angular momentum. The more moment of inertia it has and the greater spin then the greater angular momentum it will have. Angular momentum tries to be conserved so a dreidel will try to keep on spinning when acting upon!

 

Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays to everybody!!!