Why Did the Gyroscope's Precession Rate Double?

[j3dwards]

Homework Statement

A gyroscope takes 3.8 s to precess 1.0 revolution about a vertical axis. Two minutes later, it takes only 1.9 s to precess 1.0 revolution. No one has touched the gyroscope. Explain

Homework Equations

ω = Δθ/Δt
ω = ω_o + at

The Attempt at a Solution

So is the gyroscope accelerating more? But in what direction?

 

[collinsmark]

The equations that you listed apply to the spinning of an object about its primary spinning axis. But they are not particular to gyroscopic precession.

Do you know of any equations that specifically apply to gyroscopic precession?

[Btw, since the problem statement made the point of specifying the precession axis is vertical, I'm guessing this is torque induced gyroscopic precession -- as in a spinning top.]

 

[rude man]

What's the relationship between
m = mass of wheel
r = length of rod connecting wheel to pivot point
I = rotational inertia of wheel about spin axis
ω_s = radian spin speed
ω_p = radian precession rate about vertical axis?
Look at each parameter forming ω_pand decide if any could be changing, and what the effect on ω_p would be.