- #1
DocZaius
- 365
- 11
This is not a homework question, but from having read the rules in the following thread, it looks like this is more academic assistance than pure discussion:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=414380
So anyhow, I am having real trouble with precession. I know that net torque is equal to the derivative of angular momentum with respect to time.
If you put a weight at a distance from the axis of a non-spinning wheel, it tilts down. If you do the same at a distance of a spinning wheel, it rotates at a constant angular velocity. Attached is a picture trying to illustrate my confusion.
I just can't understand why the same torque with the same dL/dt results in completely different looking phenomena. Of course I know that the initial conditions are different in each case. But I don't understand what it is about their differences that leads to any accelerating tilting gyroscope to a constantly spinning gyroscope. Any help would be appreciated. The Wikipedia page did not help me enough.
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=414380
This should be done whether the problem is part of one's assigned coursework or just independent study. The reason for this is that the scientific and mathematical sections of Physics Forums are to be reserved for discussions and not academic assistance.
So anyhow, I am having real trouble with precession. I know that net torque is equal to the derivative of angular momentum with respect to time.
If you put a weight at a distance from the axis of a non-spinning wheel, it tilts down. If you do the same at a distance of a spinning wheel, it rotates at a constant angular velocity. Attached is a picture trying to illustrate my confusion.
I just can't understand why the same torque with the same dL/dt results in completely different looking phenomena. Of course I know that the initial conditions are different in each case. But I don't understand what it is about their differences that leads to any accelerating tilting gyroscope to a constantly spinning gyroscope. Any help would be appreciated. The Wikipedia page did not help me enough.