PASCO ME-8960 DEMONSTRATION GYROSCOPE - Manual (Page 13)

9
012-05327B Demonstration Gyroscope
So, once the linear acceleration of the mass (m) is determined, the torque and the angular
acceleration can be obtained for the calculation of the rotational inertia. The acceleration is
obtained by timing the fall of the hanging mass as it falls from rest a certain distance (y).
Then the acceleration is given by
a =
2y
t
2
Part I: Measuring the Precession Rate
Setup
➀ Level the gyroscope base as described on page 4 in the Assembly section of this manual.
➁
Adjust the position of the large counterweight until the gyroscope is balanced without the
add-on mass. The small counterweight can be used to fine-tune the balance.
Procedure
➀
Weigh the add-on mass and record its mass in Table 1.1. Attach the add-on mass to the end
of the shaft. Measure the distance (d) from the axis of rotation to the center of the add-on
mass. Record this distance in Table 1.1
➁
While holding the gyroscope so it can’t precess, spin the disk at about two revolutions per
second. Time 10 revolutions of the disk to determine the angular speed (
ω
) of the disk.
Record in Table 1.1.
➂ Let the gyroscope precess and time two revolutions to find the precession rate. Record in
Table 1.1.
➃ Immediately repeat the measurement of 10 revolutions of the disk. The before-and-after
data will be used to find the average angular speed of the disk during the precession.
Add-On Mass
Distance (d)
Time for 10 Revolutions (initial)
Time for Precession
Time for 10 Revolutions (final)
Table 1.1: Angular Speed Measurements