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PHYS601

  • D4-05: GYROSCOPE WITH GIMBAL RINGS

    D4-05
    Demonstrate gyroscopic stability.
    This Foucault-type gyroscope allows many important effects to be shown because the gimbal mounting permits the axis of the wheel to assume any direction freely. When the wheel is rotating rapidly the instrument may be carried around the room, turned in any position, even inverted, without changing the axis of the wheel from its original direction. However, the slightest horizontal force on the middle ring will instantly tilt the axis up or down. A small weight hung at the end of the axis will cause precession. The wheel is brass, 7.5cm in diameter, 3cm thick at the rim. and precisely balanced. All three pivot pairs are adjustable. (Description from manufacturer.)
    D4

  • D4-25: GYROSCOPE - TOY

    D4-25
    Illustrate the gyroscope.
    After spinning the flywheel (either with the thumbwheel or using a string) the gyroscope can be placed on the pivot and allowed to precess and/or nutate.
    D4

  • G1-60 CHAOS - TWO BIFILAR PENDULA

    G1-60
    Illustrates chaotic motion
    The two pendula are started into apparently identical oscillations, but their motion soon diverges. No matter how closely the motions of the two pendula are started, they eventually must undergo virtually total divergence.

    Eric Neumann has created an online simulation that can be used to model one of the legs of the pendulum. Try experimenting with the simulation as well, and see how sensitive it can be to its initial conditions. https://www.myphysicslab.com/pendulum/double-pendulum-en.html

    G1