1. Gyroscope

2. Function • Gyroscopes can act as artificial horizons for various aircrafts. • Gyroscopes can be used in ships (such as yachts) to counteract unwanted pitch caused by waves. • In concept, bicycle wheels act as gyroscopes to stabilize the rider.

4. Definition • A gyroscope is defined as a self-stabilizing device consisting of a rotating wheel pivoted inside a circular frame whose movement does not affect the wheel’s orientation in space. • Gyroscopes utilize the conservation of angular momentum. • Once spinning, the gyroscope tends to resist change to its orientation due to the angular momentum of the wheel.

5. Conservation of Angular Momentum • Angular momentum is a vector that has direction and magnitude. The direction should not change unless a torque is applied (this would be gravity’s torque). • Friction, heat, and air resistance all work against a gyroscope. If gravity and normal force only existed, the gyroscope would never lose its original orientation.

6. Implementation • The gyroscope uses Newton’s First Law which states that an object in motion wants to stay in motion and an object at rest wants to stay at rest. • Precession is the rotational motion of the axis of a spinning body. It can be the wobbling of a top.

7. Equations Used F = μN ωf = ωi +αt ∆θ = ωit + (1/2)αt2 ωf2 = ωi2 + 2α∆θ ∆θr = d ωr = vt αr = at ω = ∆θ/∆t α = ∆ω/∆t a = ω2r Fc= m ω2r Fr = mvt2/ r F= ma

8. Educated Guessing • When a gyroscope is only supported by a string, what will happen?

9. Works Cited Brian, Marshall. "How Gyroscopes Work." Howstuffworks. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2010. <http://www.howstuffworks.com/gyroscope.htm/printable>. "Dictionary." MSN. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 May 2010. <http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/ features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?refid=1861615996>. "Uses for Gyroscopes." Gyroscopes.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2010. <http://www.gyroscopes.org/ uses.asp>.