Steady precession of a gyroscope

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of gyroscopes and why they behave differently when spinning versus when not spinning. The question arises from confusion while trying to use various sources to understand the concept. The discussion includes a demonstration using a light rod with a mass at one end and the use of forces and torques to explain the movement of the gyroscope. Further clarification is sought and various resources are suggested, including "University Physics" by Young + Freedman and Kleppner, "The Feynman lectures on Physics," and demonstrations of the precession of a bicycle wheel from a string. The conversation concludes with a clarification on the location of the center of mass of a gyroscope.
  • #36
enrroi said:
The conclusion of last update on that link, Oct 1 2019 by Arthur Baraov, is challenging and is not being addressed by Tao: "Equating Dzhanibekov effect with the tennis racket instability is a blunder. So, the real physical cause for the instability of the Dzhanibekov top needs to be identified. " It would be interesting to perform the experience in microgravity and vacuum conditions to sort this out.
I don't find this challenge by Arthur Baraov very convincing so far:

- He is basing it on the nut + clay experiment, which is not shown performed in the video, just animated based on descriptions.

- According to the video the clay was attached to the wingnut originally used to observe the flip, not to a mere "regular hexagon nut" as he claims. So his assumptions about the principal moments of inertia might be off.

- Even ignoring the above, it seems that the "violation of the intermediate axis theorem" would rather be a violation of the "extension of the intermediate axis theorem" that he proposes himself in the post.
 
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<h2> What is the steady precession of a gyroscope?</h2><p>The steady precession of a gyroscope is the circular motion that a spinning gyroscope undergoes when it is subjected to a torque. This motion is perpendicular to the force of the torque and is characterized by a constant angular velocity.</p><h2> How does the steady precession of a gyroscope work?</h2><p>The steady precession of a gyroscope works due to the conservation of angular momentum. The spinning gyroscope resists changes in its orientation, so when a torque is applied, it responds by rotating around its axis at a constant rate, resulting in the steady precession motion.</p><h2> What factors affect the steady precession of a gyroscope?</h2><p>The steady precession of a gyroscope is affected by the angular velocity of the gyroscope, the magnitude and direction of the applied torque, and the moment of inertia of the gyroscope. The shape and size of the gyroscope also play a role in its precession motion.</p><h2> What are some real-world applications of the steady precession of a gyroscope?</h2><p>The steady precession of a gyroscope has many practical applications, including navigation systems in airplanes, ships, and spacecraft. It is also used in gyroscopes and gyrocompasses for stabilizing and maintaining the orientation of objects and in various scientific instruments for measuring angular velocity and rotation.</p><h2> Can the steady precession of a gyroscope be used to demonstrate the Earth's rotation?</h2><p>Yes, the steady precession of a gyroscope can be used to demonstrate the Earth's rotation. By suspending a gyroscope and allowing it to precess, the axis of rotation will align with the Earth's axis of rotation, providing evidence of the Earth's rotation. This phenomenon is known as the Foucault pendulum.</p>

FAQ: Steady precession of a gyroscope

What is the steady precession of a gyroscope?

The steady precession of a gyroscope is the circular motion that a spinning gyroscope undergoes when it is subjected to a torque. This motion is perpendicular to the force of the torque and is characterized by a constant angular velocity.

How does the steady precession of a gyroscope work?

The steady precession of a gyroscope works due to the conservation of angular momentum. The spinning gyroscope resists changes in its orientation, so when a torque is applied, it responds by rotating around its axis at a constant rate, resulting in the steady precession motion.

What factors affect the steady precession of a gyroscope?

The steady precession of a gyroscope is affected by the angular velocity of the gyroscope, the magnitude and direction of the applied torque, and the moment of inertia of the gyroscope. The shape and size of the gyroscope also play a role in its precession motion.

What are some real-world applications of the steady precession of a gyroscope?

The steady precession of a gyroscope has many practical applications, including navigation systems in airplanes, ships, and spacecraft. It is also used in gyroscopes and gyrocompasses for stabilizing and maintaining the orientation of objects and in various scientific instruments for measuring angular velocity and rotation.

Can the steady precession of a gyroscope be used to demonstrate the Earth's rotation?

Yes, the steady precession of a gyroscope can be used to demonstrate the Earth's rotation. By suspending a gyroscope and allowing it to precess, the axis of rotation will align with the Earth's axis of rotation, providing evidence of the Earth's rotation. This phenomenon is known as the Foucault pendulum.

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