Experiment 2: Gyroscope Couple and Precession Motion

Objectives:
 To investigate the behavior of a gyroscope.
 To investigate the relationship between external applied torque and the rate of precision
of gyroscope.

Theory:
A mass moves around a circle of radius r at constant speed, v, it is still accelerating
because its direction is changing. This change in direction leads to a change in velocity. There is
always acceleration since the velocity changes and it is a vector quantity. So when a body
moves along a curved path with a uniform linear velocity, an external force applied on the body
is known as active force and the centrifugal force applied radially outwards which is known as is
called reactive force.

Figure 1: Gyroscope Apparatus

 Figure 2: Different Axis of Gyroscope Apparatus

A disc is revolving or spinning with an angular velocity ω about the axis spin (OX) in
anticlockwise direction when observed from the front. Since the plane in which the disc is
rotating is parallel to the plane YOZ, therefore it is called plane of spinning. The plane XOZ is a
horizontal plane and the axis of spin rotates in a plane parallel to the horizontal plane about an
axis OY. This horizontal plane XOZ is called plane of precession and OY is the axis of
precession.

Before taking the left turn, the angular momentum vector is represented by ox. When it
takes left turn, the active gyroscopic couple will change the direction of the angular momentum
vector from ox to ox′. The vector xx′, in the limit, represents the change of angular momentum
or the active gyroscopic couple and is perpendicular to ox.

Thus the plane of active gyroscopic couple XOY will be perpendicular to xx′ (vertical in
this case). By applying right hand screw rule to vector xx′, direction of active gyroscopic couple
is clockwise. So, for left hand turning, the active gyroscopic couple on the axis OZ will be
clockwise. The reactive gyroscopic couple will act in the opposite direction and the effect of this
couple is, therefore, to raise the nose and dip the tail of the aeroplane.
Dimension and calculated Inertias
The dimension of the gyroscope rotor disc and removable rotor rim as shown in the figure:

Figure 3
The calculated moment of inertia about the X-X axis for the flywheel disc and rim, is J =
0.002004 kg m2 and the density of brass to be 8410 kg/m3. The inertia of motor armature is
approximately 0.00005 kg m2.
Method:

1. A 150g weight is placed on the inner gimbal extension shaft at the motor end.
2. The weight was adjusted until the gyroscope is balanced about the y-y axis.
3. One of the extension bars is held so that the spin axis is horizontal whist rotating the
speed control anticlockwise until maximum speed achieved.
4. The rotational speed with optical is measured with a tachometer.
5. The extension bar is released with spin axis horizontal and if necessary adjust the
position of the 50g balance weight to keep gyroscope remain horizontal and does not
rotate about the z-z axis.
6. One of the extension bars is held and a 150g weight is placed on the rotor inner gimbal
extension shaft at the 15cm mark.
7. The extension bar is released with the spin axis horizontal
8. The period of precession and direction of precession is measured.
9. The gyroscope speed is measured.
10. Move the weight to different distances from the vertical column and the experiment is
repeated.
Results

Weight RPM, Distance, Torque, Rotor Period of Rate of

, N (cm) T (N.m) speed, Precession, Precession ω x Ω Ƭ / (ω x Ω)
(g) (rpm Ω(rad/s T(s) ,
) ) Ω=2π/T
First Speed
15 0.2207 17.1 0.3674 69.8427 0.0032
150 1815 20 0.2943 190.10 12.4 0.5067 96.3237 0.0031
25 0.3679 9.2 0.6830 129.8383 0.0028
Second Speed
15 0.2207 26.5 0.2371 63.2891 0.0035
150 2549 20 0.2943 266.93 17.9 0.3510 93.6924 0.0031
25 0.3679 14.1 0.4456 118.9440 0.0031
Third Speed
15 0.2207 45.0 0.1396 73.7088 0.0030
150 5042 20 0.2943 528.00 31.4 0.2001 105.6528 0.0028
25 0.3679 23.9 0.2629 138.8112 0.0027

Calculation: Rotor speed, ω = 2πN/60 Rate of precession, Ω =2π/T

Applied torque, Ƭ = r × F Rotor speed × rate of precession = ω × Ω

For example, Weight = 0.15 kg Distance = 0.15 m Period of precession = 17.1 s

Rotor speed = 1815 rpm

ω = 2π (1815)/60 Ω = 2π/17.1 Ƭ = 0.15×0.15×9.81 ω×Ω = 190.10×0.3674

= 190.10 rad/s =0.3674 rad/s = 0.2207 Nm = 69.8427 rad 2 /s2
First Speed

Graph of T againts (ω x Ω)
120

100

f(x) = − 467.52 x + 193.2

80

60
T

40

20

0
0.2 0.22 0.24 0.26 0.28 0.3 0.32 0.34 0.36 0.38
ωxΩ

Slope = m = -467.52

Second Speed
 Graph of T againts (ω x Ω)
140

120 f(x) = 451.15 x − 37.12

100

80
T

60

40

20

0
0.2 0.22 0.24 0.26 0.28 0.3 0.32 0.34 0.36 0.38
ωxΩ

Slope = m = 451.15

Third Speed

Graph of T againts (ω x Ω)
140

f(x) = 380.57 x − 8.9

120

100

80
T

60

40

20

0
0.2 0.22 0.24 0.26 0.28 0.3 0.32 0.34 0.36 0.38
ωxΩ

Slope = m = 380.57
Discussion

According to the theory stated, the rate of precession is proportional to the torque
applied. The rotor speed remains constant. The theory is recommending that the experiment
turn out is not accurate. From the experiment, the rate of precession is inversely proportional to
the exterior torque applied meanwhile the rotor speed remains unchanged. This is inasmuch as
there are small number of factors that interrupt the experiment.

Firstly, the condition of the gyroscope affects the result of the experiment. The Gyroscope
Machine might be too old for the experiment and might have rust or loose parts inside. This will
increase the frictional force, disturb the time taken and the rate of precession also affects
directly.

Secondly, the conductors cause vibrations when it was about to release the extension bar.
The time taken for it to stop as the vibrations contribute force on it are affected.

Thirdly, both the random errors and systematic errors exist in this experiment. Random
errors occur when the observer taking in the reading of stopwatch and tachometer. While the
systematic errors occur due to different reaction time between the person who released
extension bar and the person who took the stopwatch reading. Both of these errors will affect
the calculation of rat of precession which also affect the result of calculation.

Few precautions need to be taken so that the experiment will be more accurate. Firstly,
the condition of the Gyroscope should be good and new. Proper maintenance should be done
on the machine to maintain the performance during the experiment.

Secondly, the conductors have to be very careful and gentle while released the extension bar
the released the vibrations. Thirdly, the time taker of the stopwatch and the conductor who
release the extension should conduct by different group of people to reduce the systematic
error. The experiment need to carry out as many times as possible to obtain on average value
so that the errors can be minimized.

Interpretation:
1. Explain the relation between action of axis of rotation and rotation of disk when different
torque applied in the input axis.

The action of axis of rotation is the angular velocity of disk. It can be seen in the period of
precession. When torque is increase, no effect of the speed of the spinning disk but lesser the
value in the period of precession. Very small amount of portion of the perpendicular position of
the disk with axis of spin is affected by the torque. Therefore, the torque effect the action of
axis of rotation and only effect very small amount of action of rotation of disk.

2. Explain the relation between torque vs rotor speed*rate of precession.

As the torque increase, the rotor speed * rate of precession increase. The slope of graph
Torque against Rotor speed times rate of precession will give the value of moment of inertia of
the rotating disc and rotor assembly.
3. Write a short note on gyroscope.

Gyroscope is a turning wheel that include the turning movement of the plate and furthermore
the turning movement of the hub of the turning wheel. The pivot where the hub of the turning
wheel turn is known as hub of precession. The gyroscope impact depends on the change of
estimation of the precise speed on the plate. On the off chance that the precise speed
continues as before then the pivot of turn won't rotate/ gyroscope impact won't happen.

4. What do you understand by gyroscopic couple?

The dynamic gyroscopic couple can clarify using plane of turning, pivot of turning, plane of
precession, hub of precession, plane of dynamic gyroscopic couple and hub of dynamic
gyroscopic couple. At the point when the hub of turn is made to pivot about hub of precession,
it is a direct result of the dynamic gyroscopic couple. The constrain that start the gyroscopic
couple can be said to be on the plane of dynamic gyroscopic couple and it is parallel to the hub
of dynamic gyroscopic couple. Gyroscopic couple is generally connected on heading which
bolster the pole whereby the course will oppose equivalent and inverse couple.

5. What will be the effect of the gyroscopic couple on a disc fixed at a certain angle to a
rotating shaft?

On the off chance that the plate is turning on an alternate point while it is settled and joined to
a pivoting shaft, then the gyroscopic couple that will influence the hub of the turning circle will
likewise impact the position of the pole from starting point.

Conclusions

The higher the torque applied, the decline the value of output of rotor speed and the
rate of precession. The rate of precession is equivalent to the exterior torque applied therefore
the rotor speed remains unchanged. Precaution should be applied in future experiment to
receive the most indisputable results and the errors should be minimized.

Reference:
1. Khurmi, R. et al. 2005. Theory of Machines, 14th Edition. New Dehli. S Chand & Co. Ltd.

2. J. S. Brar. R.K. Bansai (2004), A text Book of Theory of Machines .. Firewall

Media.

3. Experiment 7 - Rotation and Gyroscopic Precession. Retrieved from

http://demoweb.physics.ucla.edu/content/experiment-7-rotation-and-gyroscopic-

precession