Difference between revisions of "Gyroscope"
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[[Category: Physics]] | [[Category: Physics]] | ||
==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
| − | A gyroscope, in general, is an instrument that has a massive wheel rotating about an axis. This rotating wheel is usually placed inside three rings known as [[gimbals]]. Due to the [[conservation of angular momentum]], the magnitude and direction of the rotating wheel will remain the same no matter how one orients the entire gyroscope setup. A simpler example for gyroscopes is a spinning top. As long as there is no external [[torque]] acting on it due to gravity, the top would retain its orientation. With a torque acting on the system, the gyroscope would [[precession|precess]] and topple down due to friction. Due to the high stability, a gyroscope is usually applied in stabilizing and inertial | + | A gyroscope, in general, is an instrument that has a massive wheel rotating about an axis. This rotating wheel is usually placed inside three rings known as [[gimbal|gimbals]]. Due to the [[conservation of angular momentum]], the magnitude and direction of the rotating wheel will remain the same no matter how one orients the entire gyroscope setup. A simpler example for gyroscopes is a spinning top. As long as there is no external [[torque]] acting on it due to gravity, the top would retain its orientation. With a torque acting on the system, the gyroscope would [[precession|precess]] and topple down due to friction. Due to the high stability, a gyroscope is usually applied in stabilizing and inertial navigation systems. |
==Frequently Asked Questions== | ==Frequently Asked Questions== | ||
Latest revision as of 09:05, 9 January 2017
Explanationedit
A gyroscope, in general, is an instrument that has a massive wheel rotating about an axis. This rotating wheel is usually placed inside three rings known as gimbals. Due to the conservation of angular momentum, the magnitude and direction of the rotating wheel will remain the same no matter how one orients the entire gyroscope setup. A simpler example for gyroscopes is a spinning top. As long as there is no external torque acting on it due to gravity, the top would retain its orientation. With a torque acting on the system, the gyroscope would precess and topple down due to friction. Due to the high stability, a gyroscope is usually applied in stabilizing and inertial navigation systems.