1Q50.30 - MITAC Gyro | Instructional Resources and Lecture Demonstrations

Code Number:

1Q50.30

Demo Title:

MITAC Gyro

Condition:

Excellent

Principle:

Gyroscopes and Precession

Area of Study:

Mechanics

Disclaimer

Procedure:

Start the gyro and let it come up to speed. You can bring it up to speed faster if you initially give the gyo a spin by hand when you turn it on. The gyro should be balanced so that it will remain in the same plane when spinning. You can then rotate the gimbal system and observe that the gyro axis does not move. Note that there is a thumb screw that will allow you to pin the outer and next inner gimbal together if desired.

To show precession, add one or more of the masses to the front or the back of the axis "arrow". These masses have a small inserted magnet that will keep them in place even if the axis flips 180 degrees.

^{Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist. The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose. The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources. Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks. These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage. Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.}