Overview
The Motorised Gyroscope Apparatus consists of a high-speed spinning disc (gyroscope rotor) mounted in a gimbal frame, driven by an electric motor. When the spinning axis is precessed by an applied external couple, a gyroscopic reactive couple is produced at right angles to both the spin axis and the precession axis, measurable by a spring balance or load cell. Students measure angular velocity of spin and precession, calculate the theoretical gyroscopic couple using the equation C = I*omega*omega_p, and compare with the experimentally measured reactive couple. The apparatus demonstrates the fundamental gyroscopic phenomena experienced in ships' stabilisers, aircraft gyroscopes, and automobile wheel-steering interactions.
Specifications
| Rotor diameter | 200 to 300 mm |
| Rotor speed | 1000 to 5000 RPM |
| Precession table | motorised, 1 to 30 RPM |
| Gyroscopic couple measurement | spring balance or load cell |
| Gimbal frame | 2-axis, frictionless bearings |
| Speed measurement | digital tachometer |
| Material | aluminium disc, steel shaft |
| Power supply | 220V AC, 50 Hz |