The weight of a spinning mass?
Here is a question that kept me awake last night and I would like to hear your thoughts.
Does a spinning mass (eg a helicopter main rotor) weigh less when it is revolving than when stationary?
My thinking goes like this:- does centrifugal force somehow oppose the force of gravity to in effect make the rotor lighter? Obviously the mass is unchanged but if I am right, could you in theory spin something so fast as to negate the effect of gravity?? Also, does it matter in what plane the rotor axle is lying(ie vertical for a helicopter rotor or horizontal like an aircraft propellor)?
Or am I just talking a load of rubbish? Do you know what I am trying to say?
Please put me out of my misery.