May 24, 2010

THE SIMPLE FREE GYROSCOPE PURPOSE: APPARATUS: Gyroscope Torque weights Stop Watch Strobe Light To investigate various properties of a simple free gyroscope.

I TRODUCTIO : A typical free gyroscope is made by suspending a relatively massive object (usually symmetrical); rotor, inside of three rings, referred to as gimbals so that the rotor is free to rotate about any axis. By mounting such a rotor on high quality bearing surfaces insures that very little torque can be applied to the rotor.

p
L D Dsin Mg d

p
Lsin

dL L

When the rotor is set in motion about some axis with angular velocity , the gyroscope demonstrates stability of balance as the rotation axis remains fixed and the direction of rotation of the central rotor is maintained. This conservation of angular momentum implies that the angular momentum of the rotor is conserved; not only in magnitude but also in direction. This is the principle of a gyro-compass. When the gyroscope is unbalanced (e.g., by a gravitational force at a distance vD), the torque on the gyroscope (mg D sin ) causes a change in the angular momentum L . If the
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May 24, 2010 v v v gyroscope is initially spinning with the axle ( L parallel to ), then the change in L i.e., dL v of the torque. This motion is is then perpendicular to L and the axle moves in the direction v known as precession. . In the above figure, the torque is in the horizontal plane and v perpendicular to L . This torque results in a precessional angular velocity which may be

found from the following consideration:

r dL r =N dt

[1]

where the magnitude torque on the gyroscope is given as:

r |N|= mg D si n

The angle d through which the axle moves is approximately:

d = dL mg D sin d t = L sin L sin

and the precessional angular velocity:

p =
d m g D m g D = = dt L I

[2]

where is the spin angular velocity and I the moment of inertia. The assumption which leads to the above equation is that the total angular momentum is essentially I. This condition is satisfied by having a large moment of inertia, or more commonly, a large spin . PROCEDURE: 1. Using the large gimbal mounted gyroscope, observe and record qualitatively the predictions of the introduction. 2. Unlock all of the gimbal locks so that the gyroscope is completely free. 3. Use the arrowhead to balance the gyroscope by screwing it in and out until the gyroscope remains stationary when it is vertical in the plane of the gyroscope frame. 4. Set the gyroscope in motion and verify its compass action. This can be done by grabbing the arrow head or spin axis and setting it in motion.
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May 24, 2010

5. Add a small weight to one side of the arrow shaft and observe the precession. Explain its direction based on theory. ote: If you simply drop the weight in place, you will have a third motion superimposed on the precession. This motion is called "nutation" and is an oscillation of the axis as it precesses. The nature and magnitude depends on the initial conditions and a little practice will enable you to launch the gyro by hand so that there is no nutation. 6. Place the weight on the opposite side of the axis; observe and explain the resultant precession. 7. Place a larger unbalanced weight on the axis, observe the result and qualitatively explain the motion. If the electric motor could be reversed and the gyro driven in the opposite direction what would be the result in the above experiments? 8. Measure the precessional angular velocity for four or five different values of torque. 9. Graph this data and, using the slope of the graph, compute the angular momentum of the rotor. 10. Measure the rotor angular velocity and physical dimensions to compute the angular momentum. Then compare these two sets of results. 11. Measure and record the following data with associated error: Lever Arms for Torque Calculations Lb La Lc = = = = = = = = = = = = 5.08 cm 7.14 cm 7.14 cm _______ _______ 6.7 g/cm3 _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______

Mass of Torque Weights Density of Rotor (zinc) Outer Diameter of Rotor Inner Diameter of Rotor Thickness of Rotor Rotor Web Thickness Hub Diameter Rotor Angular Velocity

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Inner Diameter Rotor Thickness

Hub Diameter

Web Thickness

Outer Diameter

Figure 1: Diagram of the cross-section of rotor

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EXPECTATIO S FOR THE SIMPLE FREE GYROSCOPE LAB RESULTS A D A ALYSIS: Discussion (preferably with diagrams) of the qualitative results. A table of your measurements of the apparatus including the rotor angular velocity. A table of your precession data. A graph of precessional angular velocity vs. applied torque (or vice versa) including a linear regression line. Your calculations (and error calculations) of I from the precession data and from the geometry of the apparatus. Comparison of these values. The calculation of I and its error from the geometry of the apparatus is particularly involved. Maple is highly recommended. As usual you should include a printout of your Maple program (with comments!) as a sample calculation. Discussion of how your calculations were carried out, how errors were estimated, etc.

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