Gyroscope With Gimbal Rings

Purpose

To demonstrate gyroscopic stability.

Equipment

Gyroscope in gimbals as photographed.

Images

Description

This Foucault-type gyroscope allows many important effects to be shown because the gimbal mounting permits the axis of the wheel to assume any direction freely. When the wheel is rotating rapidly the instrument may be carried around the room, turned in any position, even inverted, without changing the axis of the wheel from its original direction. However, the slightest horizontal force on the middle ring will instantly tilt the axis up or down. A small weight hung at the end of the axis will cause precession. The wheel is brass, 7.5cm in diameter, 3cm thick at the rim. and precisely balanced.

References

(PIRA 1Q50.35)