1Q50.72 - Gyroscopes - Ship Stabilizer

Start the Gyro and allow it to come up to speed.  This may take up to a minute.  Then try to rock the "ship" and watch as the Gyro moves 90 degrees to this motion while trying to counteract the rocking.
Code Number:
1Q50.72
Demo Title:
Gyroscopes - Ship Stabilizer
Condition:
Fair
Principle:
Conservation of Angular Momentum about Vertical Axis
Area of Study:
Mechanics
Equipment:
Gyroscope, Ship Stabilizer apparatus, 0 - 20 VDC power supply.
Procedure:

Start the Gyro and allow it to come up to speed.  This may take up to a minute.  Then try to rock the "ship" and watch as the Gyro moves 90 degrees to this motion while trying to counteract the rocking.

References:
  • Rod Cross, "Laithwaite's Heavy Spinning Disk Demonstration", TPT, Vol. 52, # 6, Sept. 2014, p. 349.
  • Walter Connoly, "The Suitcase Gyroscope - An Angular Momentum Device", TPT, Vol. 25, # 4, Apr. 1987, p. 231.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade, "Plucker and Fessel Gyroscope (Photo)", AJP, Vol. 79, # 9, Sep. 2011, p. 965. 
  • Jacques Megel, Janis Kliava, "Metacenter and Ship Stability", AJP, Vol. 78, # 7, p. 738, July 2010. 
  • Somnath Datta, "Demonstrations of Angular Momentum", AJP, Vol. 46, # 11, Nov. 1978, p. 1190.
  • C. H. Park, "Maglevs for Ships", Physics Today, June 2010, p. 19.
  • M-194,  Richard Manliffe Sutton,  Demonstration Experiments in Physics.


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.