Physics Demonstrations
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Physics Demonstrations

Bicycle Wheel Gyroscope

Identifier: M: Rot - 011

A stool rests on a rotating platform. Nearby, a bicycle wheel rests near a foot pedal-driven motor.

Concept Overview

  1. Gyroscope
  2. Conservation of Angular Momentum
  3. Precession

Lecturer Procedure

Steps to FollowExpected Result
  1. Press foot pedal to bring motor up to speed.
  2. Press wheel against motor.
  3. Holding the wheel vertically with both hands extended, sit on the stool.
  4. Quickly turn the wheel to the left.
  5. Wait a few seconds, and then quickly turn the wheel to the right. 
You will first rotate to the left.  When you switch the direction of the wheel, you will come to a stop and possibly even start moving to the right

***repeat steps 1 and 2 above***

  1. Hold wheel in 1 hand so that the two bars are oriented vertically.
  2. Set wheel on the floor at a slight angle.
The wheel will rotate around as a gyroscope.  As it slows, precession will occur.

**repeat steps 1 and 2 from the first row**

  1. Hang the wheel from the rope attached to the ceiling.
The wheel will maintain its angle as it rotates in a circle.

Historical References; Taken from original work of Percy H. Carr, 1970

 “When the bicycle wheel is set spinning and its horizontal shaft is placed on the point at the top of a stand rod, the wheel precesses about the rod. I think this is the most striking display of simple gyroscopic behavior.”

Video Demonstration

Tutorial: Set-up Instructions for M: Rot - 11
Transcript:

There is no audio with this recording.

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