In
this video Laithwaite puts a stick in the way of a precessing gyroscope
so that a collision occurs. It can be seen that in the colision the
gyroscope does not damage the stick and little energy appears to be
dissipated in the collision. When the stand is held verticaly and the
gyroscope realeased so it falls under gravity the collision appears to
cause more damage to the stick.
Repetition of demonstration
(1) A precessing gyroscope collides with a stick
(2) A gyroscope falls due to gravity onto a stick
Explanation of motion
(1) When the stick is placed in the path of a precessing gyroscope so a collision occurs
(2) When
the gyroscope and stand are placed vertical and the gyroscope is
released from rest the collision can be seen to WHAT - CHECK AFTER VID
FLIMED.
From Newton's Laws F=ma, therefore a large acceleration of the gyroscope in a particular direction implies