Why does a cone-shaped object, when placed on its side on a flat surface, rotate about the end with a smaller diameter?

Question

Examples include a light bulb, a screw, a nail, etc.

I intuitively know how these objects behave, but I’m having trouble putting it into words/reasoning about it.

Is it because of the tilt? The diameter difference (this causes the tilt)?

In: 9

Answer 1

It’s the difference in how big around the two ends are. For each rotation of the object the two ends travel a different distance along the ground. Since the bigger end travels further, it curves around the smaller end.