Conservative Motion of Discrete, Tetrahedral Top on a Smooth Horizontal Plane
Abstract
**Please note that the full text is embargoed** ABSTRACT: Tetrahedral tops are simulated as discrete, rigid bodies in rotation by introducing a molecular mechanics formulation. The contact point of the top with the XY plane is allowed to move in the plane. The conservative, dynamical differential equations are solved numerically in such a fashion that all the system invariants are preserved. Examples which include precession, nutation, cusp formation, and looping are described and discussed.