No label defined (Q4242097)

The article deals with dynamic problems of a body contiguous to a solid surface. The author describes curious experimental dynamic effects, namely, changes (without any external action) of the rotation axis of the celt stone which was initially vertical and initiation of the rotation caused by oscillations of the celt stone about a horizontal axis. Basic theoretical equations are introduced and analyzed for describing (i) stability of a stationary state rotation about a vertical axis, (ii) small oscillations near stationary state rotation, and (iii) nonlinear oscillations near an equilibrium point. These theoretical results are used for explaining the above-mentioned curious experimental dynamic effects of the celt stone. The article is based on a lecture given by the author for secondary school teachers in the framework of the ``International Soros Science Educational Program'' and is aimed at presenting contemporary developments in mathematics on an elementary level understandable for secondary school teachers and pupils.