PASCO ME-8960 DEMONSTRATION GYROSCOPE - Manual (Page 19)

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