PASCO ME-8960 DEMONSTRATION GYROSCOPE - Manual (Page 18)

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Demonstration Gyroscope 012-05327B
Procedure
➀
Use your hand to spin both disks in the same direction. Show that the gyroscope does not
precess.
➁
Put the add-on mass on the end of the shaft and secure with a screw. Spin both disks in the
same direction and show that the gyroscope now precesses.
➂
Stop the disks and reverse the spin of both disks to show that the gyroscope now precesses
in the opposite direction.
➃
Now counter-rotate the disks. To do this, wrap an equal number of turns of string in oppo-
site directions around the pulleys on each of the disks. Pull on both strings simultaneously
using the pen as a handle. Point out that even though a torque is still being applied to the
gyro, the gyroscope does not precess when the two disks are spinning in opposite directions.