part 2 how yo-yos work applying physics

Yo-yos are toys that have a very deep history within it; from the Greeks, to the Chinese and the Filipinos. What is not commonly seen is that yo-yos have a fascinating explanation applying physics at work. Yo-yos can be explained through energy potential when it is being held in the palm of the yoyoist and being changed to energy kinetic.As the yoyo is being released, it gains angular momentum which makes it spin continuously. Also this spinning motion creates gyroscopic stability which resists the change of the axis of rotation.An innovation to yo-yos today is the centrifugal clutch wich enhances the performance of the yo-yo.

Relative to our discussions and experiments in the physics lab, the things that are working in yo-yos are the torque and friction. Friction is a thing that is always considered in manufacturing a yo-yo. Friction is responsible for the energy lost when the yo-yo is spun. Manufacturers must have a design that would make the string to have an optimal grip to the axle that would allow a free spin. This ability of a Yo-yo to free spin is called "sleep." Friction is also important in other tricks like walk the dog, where the friction between the ground and the yo-yo's disk is responsible for the yo-yo to roll in the ground.

Torque also plays an important role in a yo-yo; the axle serves as the axis of rotation/fulcrum and the string serves as the torque arm.The force perpendicular to the torque arm makes the disk spin. The concept of torque is important in tricks like around the world. The string must be in optimum length for it not to affect the transfer of energy.