Motorized Gyroscope (Precession and Nutation) (1Q50.30)

Description:

A motorized gyroscope with a heavy flywheel on gimbals. Weights may be hung from the end of the bearing arm to produce precession and nutation. The flywheel takes over a minute to come up to full speed, and if a weight is hung on the arm when the spin is still slow, precession will initially be rapid but will slow down as the flywheel speeds up.

Procedure or Operation Notes:

Warning: Do not touch the flywheel!

Precession is visible at most speeds, but nutation is more visible at slower speeds (try ~30 Volts on the variac).