Gyroscope Definition and 175 Threads

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. F

    I Calculating Pitch and Roll Relative to a Velocity Vector from IMU Data

    I have an IMU that includes an accelerometer and a gyroscope. The IMU is moving through 3D space while rotating around it's z axis(yaw). Here's what I know so far: Velocity Vector: I have a 3D velocity vector (x, y, z) that was integrated from a resting position using the accelerometer data...
  2. F

    I Rotating plate thrown parallel to ground

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  3. R

    I Does the classical theory of angular momentum explain this video of a unicycle robot?

    Hi. I'm an enthusiast of physics applied to robotics (you know, modeling and stuff), I've been studying a bit of unicycle robot and how the gyroscope theory helps us in these cases. However, I'm totally drawing a blank about how to explain in the video below: Gyroscope theory tells me that...
  4. Malwina

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  5. J

    I Why do bullets precess in the opposite way from gyroscope diagrams?

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  6. P

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  7. KDP

    I Sagnac gyroscope affected by linear acceleration?

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  8. T

    A Trig functions and the gyroscope

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  9. Kumail Haider

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  10. Z

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  11. cianfa72

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  12. HakimTem

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  13. A

    I Precession of a gyroscope in freefall

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  14. SpaceThoughts

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  15. SpaceThoughts

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  16. curiousPep

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  17. T

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  18. Homestar1

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  19. S

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  20. HarryLime

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  21. Leo Liu

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  22. richengle

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  23. F

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  24. andyonassis

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  25. Like Tony Stark

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  26. J

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  28. D

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  29. rzyn

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  30. T

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  31. D

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  32. sjogosk

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  33. Z

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  34. N

    B Does a gyroscope bend spacetime?

    I've tried to find the answer to this but I can't I know what we experience as gravity is the bending of space by the mass of the Earth. But, a gyroscope is able to defy the Earths bending of space. Does a gyroscope on a small scale bend space perpendicular to the Earths bending and that's why...
  35. E

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    I have been struggling to visualize how three rotating reaction wheels on bearings and affixed to each other at 90 degree angles, one at each axis (picture the kind of 3-axis reaction devices used in satalites), would behave when torque is applied to the whole assembly. If all three reaction...
  36. alan123hk

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  37. T

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  38. G

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  40. JTC

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  41. T

    Gyroscope Experiment Homework: Find Centre of Gravity & Nutation Effects

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  43. L

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  44. A

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  45. G

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  46. A

    I How Does a Clockwise Spinning Gyroscope Stay Upright?

    So I've just started reading into how gyroscopes work and I've hit a wall. Previously I thought that the upwards angular momentum kept the spinning object up straight, but why does it do the same if it's spinning clockwise too even though the angular momentum would be pointing down? Does the...
  47. TomVu

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  48. T

    I Gyroscopic Precession: Understanding the Physics

    I was watching this and I get it that when you rotate the wheel, the torque due to its weight will cause it to revolve parallel to the ground instead of perpendicular to the ground. I know that the faster you spin the wheel, the less likely the lever from the wheel to the pivot will be slanted...
  49. D

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  50. M

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