What is Gyroscope: Definition and 172 Discussions

A gyroscope (from Ancient Greek γῦρος gûros, "circle" and σκοπέω skopéō, "to look") is a device used for measuring or maintaining orientation and angular velocity. It is a spinning wheel or disc in which the axis of rotation (spin axis) is free to assume any orientation by itself. When rotating, the orientation of this axis is unaffected by tilting or rotation of the mounting, according to the conservation of angular momentum.
Gyroscopes based on other operating principles also exist, such as the microchip-packaged MEMS gyroscopes found in electronic devices (sometimes called gyrometers), solid-state ring lasers, fibre optic gyroscopes, and the extremely sensitive quantum gyroscope.Applications of gyroscopes include inertial navigation systems, such as in the Hubble Telescope, or inside the steel hull of a submerged submarine. Due to their precision, gyroscopes are also used in gyrotheodolites to maintain direction in tunnel mining. Gyroscopes can be used to construct gyrocompasses, which complement or replace magnetic compasses (in ships, aircraft and spacecraft, vehicles in general), to assist in stability (bicycles, motorcycles, and ships) or be used as part of an inertial guidance system.
MEMS gyroscopes are popular in some consumer electronics, such as smartphones.

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  1. D

    Moment of inertia and a gyroscope

    Homework Statement A gyroscope consists of a uniform disc of mass M and diameter d attached at its centre to a light spindle of length l perpendicular to the plane of the disc. i) Show that the moment of inertia, I, of the disc around the axis of the spindle is Md²/8. Homework Equations...
  2. A

    Solve Gyroscope Problem: Find Force & Angular Speed

    Homework Statement The rotor (flywheel) of a toy gyroscope has mass 0.130 kg. Its moment of inertia about its axis is 1.40 * 10^-4 kg·m^2. The mass of the frame is 0.0650 kg. The gyroscope is supported on a single pivot (Diagram: http://www.webassign.net/yf10/10-43.gif) with its center of mass...
  3. G

    Solving a Toy Gyroscope Physics Problem: Mass, Moment of Inertia, and Precession

    Homework Statement The rotor (flywheel) of a toy gyroscope has mass 0.140 kilograms. Its moment of inertia about its axis is 1.20 x10^-4 kilogram meters squared. The mass of the frame is 0.0250 kilograms. The gyroscope is supported on a single pivot with its center of mass a horizontal...
  4. E

    Toy Gyroscope Problem: Finding Angular Speed and Upward Force | Homework Help

    Homework Statement The rotor (flywheel) of a toy gyroscope has mass 0.140 kilograms. Its moment of inertia about its axis is 1.20x10^{-4} kilogram meters squared. The mass of the frame is 0.0250 kilograms. The gyroscope is supported on a single pivot with its center of mass a horizontal...
  5. B

    Can You Tell Difference in Wheels Spinning/Not in a Box?

    Suppose we have two wheels connected along the same axis, spinning in opposite directions. (zero sum angular momentum) The whole contraption is welded inside a box. Could someone handling the box tell any difference between if the wheels were spinning or not?
  6. G

    Pinning a gyroscope will resist change in orientation

    I know when spinning a gyroscope will resist change in orientation so that the rotor is still pointing in the same direction. But, is that direction with respect to Earth's center of gravity or is it an "absolute direction". So, if I point a gyroscope upwards and spin the rotor and I go...
  7. MathematicalPhysicist

    How Does Frictionless Surface Affect Gyroscope Precession?

    1)i have this problem, we have a toy gyroscope, which its pricnipal moments of inertia are known, spins around its axis of symmetry with angular velocity w, and it's tilt with angle a from the vertical on a smooth table (i.e frictionless table). i need to find the precession frequency? im given...
  8. H

    Can a gyroscope under no external force precess?

    We know intuitively that a gyroscope in zero gravity (or free fall) can spin almost indefinitely with either a zero or 90 degree precession angle (i.e., spinning perfectly along its axis or along its "side," respectively). Why shouldn't it be able to spin at intermediate states, such as with a...
  9. J

    Find Magnitude & Direction of Force on Gyroscope Shaft w/ 5kg Mass

    A demonstration gyro wheel is constructed by removing the tire from a bicycle wheel 1.0m in diameter, wrapping lead wire around the rim, and taping it in place. The shaft projects .2m at each side of the wheel and a man holds the ends of the shaft in his hands. The mass of the system is 5kg and...
  10. H

    Does a gyroscope centripetal force?

    After reading in specialized Physics books and different articles, I’m still thinking about gyroscopical precession. I understand everything about angular momentum, torques…, but if center of masses makes a circular movement, Where does it provide centripetal force? Could it be for the axe...
  11. P

    Gyroscope precession - WHY? (What's the cause?)

    «(...) a torque τ applied perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and therefore perpendicular to L, results in a motion perpendicular to both τ and L. This motion is called precession.»(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyroscope) Why does this happen? Assumpting this makes all further calculus...
  12. P

    Gravity Probe B: Gyroscope Orientation and Precession

    I was looking at some web sites about the Gravity Probe B. Some show the spin axes of the gyroscopes oriented perpendicular to the Earth or else in the direction of movement of the satelite. Wouldn't these orientations cause lots of precession? I'd expect the gyroscopes' axes of rotation to...
  13. Q

    Can anyone recommend a good gyroscope

    Can anyone recommend a good gyroscope (not too expensive) to purchase?
  14. F

    Understanding the Concept of a Gyroscope: How Rotation Defies Gravity

    Consider the concept of a gyroscope. You tie a string to one end and attach the other end to the ceiling so only one end is supported, If you let go when it is not spinning, the obvious occurs - it falls from its horizontal position to a vertical position with the other end pointing towards the...
  15. D

    Gyroscope for SUV roll protection

    A gyroscope of a certain size is mounted midship of an SUV of about 2100 lbs, and the gyroscope was setup to accelerate if this SUV accelerated. Now normally if a SUV makes a 90 degree turn past 35 miles per hour the driver looses control and or the vehicle rolls over. How fast would...
  16. quasar987

    Gyroscope - I just don't get it.

    I don't understand why a rotating gyroscope whose rotation axis is inclined with respect to a vertical axis does not fall to the ground dues to gravity as fast as the non-rotating giroscope. Thanks for your replies.
  17. C

    Calculating Angular Momentum and Precession of a Toy Gyroscope

    A toy gyroscope consists of a M = 2.5 kg disk with a radius of R = 2 cm mounted at the end of a light axle r = 7 cm long. The gyroscope spins at f = 47 rev/s. It is held horizontal at one end of its axle and precesses about its stand as shown. a) What is the angular momentum of the disk...
  18. P

    Geodetic and Frame-Dragging Effects on Gyroscope Axis of Rotation

    How does axis of rotation of a gyroscope alter from the geodetic and framedragging effects... and why is the axis pointing in a constant direction in the first place?
  19. P

    Why Does a Gyroscope's Spin Axis Maintain Its Direction?

    In GPB's experimental conditions, a negligible amount of precession takes place. So in terms of rotational inertia, why does the spin axis of a gyroscopes remain pointing in the same direction? Also, why would changes in space-time cause the axis to change? Thanks
  20. P

    Gyroscope & Sound in deep space

    Just a few questions I have been trying to find answers to. A) Will a gyroscope function in deep space with the same properties as on Earth ? B) Does sound travel in deep space? if yes in what form of property will it travel? i.e. such as light being a carrier or?
  21. F

    Semi-Subsistant Gyroscope Torque

    Most of us have played around with gyroscopes, but I think that I have taken it beyond just "playing". I have come to notice that when a gyroscope begins to lose RPM, the top starts wobbling and procedes to spin in wider and wider circles until it clunks to the surface that it is placed upon...
  22. F

    What Caused Uranus' Unique Rotation?

    I was playing around with my gyroscope yesterday and laid out a possible Uranian scenario. If Uranus was long ago in a rotation similar to that of Earth's, then an impact that applied a clockwise force (as viewed from a point further out from the planet looking in at its side) would cause a...
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