Rolling and Spinning - Physics Demonstrations - Rolling and Spinning | Physics Undergraduate Labs

Purpose

Demonstrates that rolling motion is the superposition of translation and rotation. The colored ends of the cylinder make velocity addition visible: the end where translational and rotational velocities cancel appears nearly stationary, while the opposite end blurs past too fast to see.

Two white PVC cylinders on dark fabric, each with different colored marks on their ends — left cylinder has a red X on one end and a blue circle on the other, right cylinder has a blue square on one end and a red rectangle on the other

Blue sneaker resting on one end of a white PVC cylinder on a tile floor, demonstrating the foot-squeeze launch technique

Figure 1: Two marked PVC cylinders with contrasting colored symbols on each end for visualizing velocity addition during rolling.

Figure 2: Launch technique: rest your foot on one end of the cylinder and squeeze it forward to impart high spin with minimal translation.