Why can a spiraling ball wobble without anyone touching it?
A ball's long axis does not have to point along its angular momentum. In an ideal model with no external torque, an elongated spinning body can precess around a fixed angular-momentum direction. A real throw adds aerodynamic forces to that simpler picture.
Start reading
- MIT OpenCourseWare; J. Peraire and S. WidnallLecture L29: 3D Rigid Body Dynamics
Uses a spinning football as an example of direct precession and distinguishes the body axis from angular momentum.
Ready to try your ideas aloud?
Your topic carries over. Record up to 2½ minutes, depending on your plan.