Gyroscopic effect on planetary motion

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the gyroscopic effects on planetary motion, particularly focusing on Earth's rotation and its revolution around the Sun. Participants explore the implications of these effects in the context of astrophysics, including concepts like precession.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the Earth's rotation and its revolution around the Sun would involve gyroscopic effects similar to those observed in a spinning bicycle wheel.
  • Another participant challenges this analogy, stating that the mechanics of the Earth do not operate in the same way as a bicycle wheel when changing direction.
  • A later reply acknowledges a misunderstanding regarding the Earth's rotational axis and introduces the concept of precession, suggesting that during this phenomenon, the Earth does experience gyroscopic effects.
  • It is noted that Earth's precession occurs over a long timescale of approximately 26,000 years, with a specific rate of change mentioned.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the applicability of gyroscopic effects to Earth's motion, with some asserting that the analogy does not hold. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of precession and its relationship to gyroscopic effects.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully clarified the assumptions underlying their analogies or the specific mechanics of gyroscopic effects in relation to planetary motion.

R Power
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Gyroscopic effect on planetary motion!

Hi PFians

This is my first ever post in astrophysics since I've got very interested in it from last 2 days...

I was wondering when Earth rotates about it's axis and at the same time changes it's direction due to revolution about sun...won't it have to handle gyroscopic effects. When a spinning object like a bicycle wheel is forced to change direction(while steering), it undergoes rotation about an axis perpendicular to the changed direction and hence the whole bicycle rotates (to counter this we lean the bicycle at an angle).
Similarly, when the spinning Earth will change its direction due to movement about sun, it will undergo rotation about an axis exactly perpendicular to rotational axis.
Correct me if I am wrong!
 
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Take a bicycle wheel in your hands and set it spinning. Now turn the wheel to the side. You will experience a force turning you around.

This is not how the Earth works.

Take a bicycle wheel in your hands and set it spinning. Now step forward, then left then back then right. You do not experience a force turning you around.

This is how the Earth works.
 


Take a bicycle wheel in your hands and set it spinning. Now step forward, then left then back then right. You do not experience a force turning you around.

This is how the Earth works.
Yeah! I got it wrong! Actually direction of Earth's rotational axis doesn't change!
But what about the precession of equinoxes (the Earth's wobbling). At that time the Earth's rotational axis gets changed... so then Earth must experience Gyroscopic effects!
 


R Power said:
But what about the precession of equinoxes (the Earth's wobbling). At that time the Earth's rotational axis gets changed... so then Earth must experience Gyroscopic effects!

Earth's precession occurs over 26,000 years. That's 75 years per 1 degree.
 

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