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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cquvA_IpEsA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cquvA_IpEsA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
I'm confused with what is causing the counter-torque in the gyroscope to oppose the torque by gravity. Is the force by the top a reaction force? It says this counter-torque is what dampens its precession. The top is more stable at higher angular speeds, and has a greater angular momentum at higher speeds. Torque is proportional to the change in angular momentum with respect to time, not the magnitude of angular momentum, so why is there a greater counter-torque at higher angular speeds?
Also, I don't understand how the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyroscope#Description_and_diagram" work to minimize external torques.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
I'm confused with what is causing the counter-torque in the gyroscope to oppose the torque by gravity. Is the force by the top a reaction force? It says this counter-torque is what dampens its precession. The top is more stable at higher angular speeds, and has a greater angular momentum at higher speeds. Torque is proportional to the change in angular momentum with respect to time, not the magnitude of angular momentum, so why is there a greater counter-torque at higher angular speeds?
Also, I don't understand how the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyroscope#Description_and_diagram" work to minimize external torques.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
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