Experiment 3: precession - demonstration, Purpose, Procedure – PASCO ME-8960 DEMONSTRATION GYROSCOPE User Manual

Page 19: Gyroscope (me-8960), Put the add-on mass on the end of the shaft, Spin the disk and allow the gyroscope to precess, Equipment needed, Figure 3.1: precession, Caution magnet

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15

012-05327B

Demonstration Gyroscope

“A” base

counterweights

rotating

axle

rotating disk

add-on mass

Experiment 3: Precession - Demonstration

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

– Gyroscope (ME-8960)

Purpose

It is shown that if a precessing gyroscope is restricted from precessing, the disk will fall.
See Figure 3.1.

Procedure

➀

Adjust the counterweights until the gyroscope is balanced.

➁

Put the add-on mass on the end of the shaft.

➂

Spin the disk and allow the gyroscope to precess.

➃

Slow or stop the precession by grabbing the center vertical shaft with your hand. As you do
so, the disk will fall.

➄

You can also cause the disk to rise by spinning the center vertical shaft in the same direc-
tion as the precession.

90

100

110

120

130

140

80

70

60

50

40

30

ME-8960

DEMONSTRATION

GYROSCOPE

CAUTION
MAGNET

Figure 3.1: Precession

rotating

axle

rotating disk

90

100

110

120

130

140

80

70

60

50

40

30

ME-8960

DEMONSTRATION

GYROSCOPE

CAUTION
MAGNET

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