- #1
Taylor_1989
- 402
- 14
Homework Statement
Ok so in my lab we have been given a set-up as shown below
Minus the horse shoe dector on the right hand side. During this set-up up we need to find the point where the balance point and centre of gravity are equal (as I understand) here is exactly what my script say
"Centre of gravity
Now set up the gyroscope so that it is balanced on the V-shape stand base with gyroscope
support pole as shown in the figures below. If the balance point is exactly at the centre of
gravity, then the gyroscope will remain at any orientation without falling or righting itself.
Try altering the length of the gyroscope spindle by changing the position of the locking
screw, as shown in the figure. Identify the position corresponding to centre of gravity. This
will approximately correspond with the line marked on the axle. However, for the following
measurements the position must be known accurately, so make a record using the vernier
callipers."
and the accompanying diagram to show the adjustment.
So as I mentioned my understanding of this, is that once the centre of mass is found, say I tilt the gyroscope on the left slightly then it would stay in that position, it would not topple over or correct itself back to its true centre of gravity?
So with the centre of mass set-up up we carried out the experiment find the precession, so when we carried it we measure the precession but whiles doing so we had quite a bit of nutation at the time. Now I understand that at you can't have precession without nutation and that the higher the rotational frequency the higher the nutation.
But what I am currently trying to figure out is, dose the centre of mass play a role in the nutation? What I mean by this, say that the gyroscope was not balanced i.e adjust the length as the script has mentioned and it was set into motion and precession was recorded would the nutation effect increase or decrease, I feel there is some relation between centre of mass and nutation but I can't quite seem to fully understand the concept.
Could someone please advise, many thank in advance.