Solving a Toy Gyroscope Physics Problem: Mass, Moment of Inertia, and Precession

[gills]

Homework Statement

The rotor (flywheel) of a toy gyroscope has mass 0.140 kilograms. Its moment of inertia about its axis is 1.20 x10^-4 kilogram meters squared. The mass of the frame is 0.0250 kilograms. The gyroscope is supported on a single pivot with its center of mass a horizontal distance 4.00 centimeters from the pivot. The gyroscope is precessing in a horizontal plane at the rate of one revolution in 2.20 seconds.

(a) Find the upward force $$\vec{n}$$ exerted by the pivot.

(b)Find the angular speed w at which the rotor is spinning about its axis, expressed in revolutions per minute.

Homework Equations

$$\tau$$net = I*$$\alpha$$

F = ma

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm new to gyroscopes, so if anyone can point me in the right direction and help me step by step, that would be great!

 

[gills]

Bueler? ...Bueler? ...Bueler? ...Bueler?

 

[gills]

part (a) =

(m_gyro + m_frame)g = 1.617N

part(b)---working on it

 

[Astronuc]

See if this helps - http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/rotv2.html

and this

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/rotv.html