Data Sheet

The Gyroscopic Effect
A gyroscope is a spinning wheel
or disk that is mounted in such a
way that it can rotate freely and
assume any orientation on its
own. The wheel or disk is usually
mounted inside of two rings
which are free to rotate in all
three directions.
A gyroscope is like a spinning
top held inside a frame by its
axis. Gyroscopes were invented
as tools to help scientists
study Earth’s rotation. Today
gyroscopes are used in many
applications such as compasses,
flight instruments, and
stabilization devices.
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How is a spinning top able to balance on one small point?
How does your smartphone know to change the orientation of
its screen when it is turned on its side? Both of these things
work because of gyroscopes and gyroscopic forces!
In the following experiments, you will investigate how a
gyroscope works and how gyroscopes are used in many
different ways.
Gyroscope parts
Frame
Gimbal
Rotor
Spin axis