Bicycle Wheel on Vertical Rod

Identifier: M: Rot - 012

A bicycle wheel rests on a bench next to a ring stand with a pointed tip

Concept Overview

Simple gyroscopic behavior
Precession

Lecturer Procedure

Steps to Follow

Make the wheel rotate quickly.
Place eyelet of wheel on the point.

Expected Result

Wheel precesses around the central point.

Note:

If needed, a pedal-operated motor can be supplied to provide maximum rotation. However, the wheel required for this demonstration can be sufficiently rotated using only the lecturer's own arm power.

Historical References; Taken from original work of Percy H. Carr, 1970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 - 12

Transcript:

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