I Can Precession Explain the Stability of High-Speed Ice Skaters?

  • I
  • Thread starter Thread starter gabriel barata
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Ice Precession
AI Thread Summary
Precession can occur in a spinning ice skater, similar to a gyroscope, due to angular momentum and torque. However, the discussion indicates that precession may not significantly influence an ice skater's ability to turn or maintain balance. The stability of an ice skater does not solely depend on speed; dynamic stability is complex and involves various factors, including body mechanics and interaction with the ice. Leaning to turn, akin to a cyclist, does not directly relate to precession in this context. Overall, while precession is a fascinating concept, its application to ice skating stability is limited.
gabriel barata
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
does it take wheels for precession to happen? can precession be applied to ice skates, for example?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PhysicsForums. :smile:

Assuming you mean precession of a spinning ice skater (not of their skates), it should happen. What makes a gyroscope precess? Spinning angular momentum is one part; what is the other part that causes precession? What could you do to an ice skater in a spin that would cause this effect? :smile:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precession

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...precession.gif/220px-Gyroscope_precession.gif

1612136941635.png
 
  • Like
Likes Lnewqban
berkeman said:
Welcome to PhysicsForums. :smile:

Assuming you mean precession of a spinning ice skater (not of their skates), it should happen. What makes a gyroscope precess? Spinning angular momentum is one part; what is the other part that causes precession? What could you do to an ice skater in a spin that would cause this effect? :smile:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precession

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...precession.gif/220px-Gyroscope_precession.gif

View attachment 277225
Would it be the torque?
I don't get where is the spinning angular momentum, like in the wheels.

thanks for your reply :smile:
 
gabriel barata said:
I don't get where is the spinning angular momentum, ...
How should we know? You have not described any specific scenario.
 
A.T. said:
How should we know? You have not described any specific scenario.
A person leans to the side riding his bike to make the turn. I wanted to know about a person leaning on ice skates to make the turn, just like the person on the bike.
 
gabriel barata said:
I wanted to know about a person leaning on ice skates to make the turn, just like the person on the bike.
I don't think precession plays a role in this case.
 
A.T. said:
I don't think precession plays a role in this case.
So a high speed ice skater is no more stable than a low speed ice skater?
 
gabriel barata said:
So a high speed ice skater is no more stable than a low speed ice skater?
Moving fast by itself does not create stability against falling over to the side.

But the mechanisms of dynamic stability can be very complex, especially for the human body and its interaction with the ice. When you bring steering into it, it gets complicated, even for simple bikes:

 
Last edited:

Similar threads

I How to quantify gyroscopic precession torque?
Replies
34
Views
3K
I Torque required to prevent precession
Replies
2
Views
1K
I The Gyroscopic Effect: Precession, Nutation, & Boomerang Return
Replies
4
Views
2K
I Gyroscopic precession of a spin-stabilized bullet
Replies
10
Views
3K
I Gyroscope, Gimbals Frame, lack of precession
Replies
19
Views
2K
I Direct vs. Retrograde Precession
Replies
4
Views
4K
I Apparent Initial Acceleration due to Precession of Wheel Gyroscope?
Replies
6
Views
2K
I What Determines the Order of Rotations for a Gyro?
Replies
2
Views
1K
Gyroscopic precession of a bicycle wheel
Replies
4
Views
4K
I Order of rotations: precession, nutation, spin
Replies
3
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top