Flash Animations showing the gyroscopic effect

 
This site contains interactive flash animations. The purpose of these is to help explain the motion observed in Laithwaite's demonstrations, and to show in an interactive way gyroscopic motion.

Gyroscopic precession

 
Laithwaite demonstrates gyroscopic precession in his early demonstrations. In this flash program you can alter the applied couple, Q by adding masses and observe how the rate of precession changes. To see a video of this and how theoretical results compare with actual results go here.

Gyroscopes

In this flash program one can alter parameters to see how this effects the motion. The motion observed in this program can also be seen in videos via the following links:

Gyroscope precessing on a frictionless surface

Motion when arm is clamped and unclamped.

A toy gyroscope precesses on a frictionless surface

If a gyroscope is precessing on a frictionless surface precession will occur about the center of mass. Alter the position of the center of mass, and so the point about which precession occurs. To see a video example of this motion go here. 

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Videos

Explanation of gyroscopic precession

Newton's Law's of motion

Flash animations