SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

School of Engineering
MEE20006 Engineering Dynamics – LAB PRACTICAL

Study of Gyroscope

Student Name: Trung Hieu Nguyen

Student ID: 104492119

Lab Supervisor: Siyu Chen

Date of group: 24th October

Objectives:

 To observe and measure gyroscope precession, which is the phenomenon in

which the gyroscope's rotation axis changes direction in response to an
external torque.
 To investigate the stability and equilibrium of gyroscopes.

Procedures:

 Loose the grub screw to release the slider weight.

 Set the slider weight at position r = 0.095m and tighten it.
 Place the protective hood
 Turn on the apparatus.
 Gently increase the speed of gyroscope, follow by increase the speed of the
frame.
 Wait for 5-10 seconds as the machine need time to response.
 Set the gyro speed at specific value (ex: 5000RPM) and adjust the frame speed
until the slider weight is in equilibrium position.
 Decrease the gyro speed to three other specific values and adjust the frame
speed again to make it balance.
 Record the data
 Change to r-position and repeat the steps

Results:

Table 1: Experimental verification of the gyroscopic laws

Radius M w( N ∙ m P Ω M ( N ∙ m) M −M w
Deviation (
m ) (rpm) (rpm) M
%)

0.025 0.016 2739 14.5 0.016 0

0.025 0.016 3500 11.48 0.017 5.88

0.025 0.016 3640 10.95 0.016 0

0.025 0.016 4706 8.71 0.017 5.88

0.050 0.032 4040 19.47 0.032 0

0.050 0.032 4449 17.63 0.032 0

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 0.050 0.032 4739 16.42 0.032 0

0.050 0.032 4993 15.5 0.032 0

0.075 0.048 2930 39.99 0.048 0

0.075 0.048 3839 29.6 0.047 -2.13

0.075 0.048 4815 24.22 0.048 0

0.075 0.048 5065 22.9 0.048 0

0.095 0.061 2941 48.63 0.059 -3.28

0.095 0.061 4060 36.4 0.061 0

0.095 0.061 4285 34.18 0.06 -1.6

0.095 0.061 5068 28.69 0.06 -.16

Calculations:

M w 1=mgr=0.0656 x 9.81 x 0.025=0.016 Nm

M w 2=mgr=0.0656 x 9.81 x 0.05=0.032 Nm

M w 3=mgr=0.0656 x 9.81 x 0.075=0.048 Nm

M w 4 =mgr=0.0656 x 9.81 x 0.095=0.061 Nm

2π 2π −7
M gyro 1=P Ω I z=2739 x x 14.5 x x 375 x 10 =0.016 Nm
60 60

2π 2π −7
M gyro 2=P Ω I z=4040 x x 19.47 x x 375 x 10 =0.032 Nm
60 60

2π 2π −7
M gyro 3=P Ω I z=2930 x x 39.99 x x 375 x 10 =0.048 Nm
60 60

2π 2π −7
M gyro 4=P Ω I z =2941 x x 48.63 x x 375 x 10 =0.059 Nm
60 60

M −M w 0.016−0.016
Deviation= x 100= =0
M 0.016

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Discussions:

In general, it can be seen that the deviation is very small, only about 2-5%. We have
four different r positions of 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.095 m respectively; At each r
position, the four speeds of the gyro will be gradually reduced from about 5000RPM.
In order for the slider weight to reach a balanced position, we increased the frame
speed. This means that at each different position r, there will be a certain Moment
value and the speed of the frame will be inversely proportional to the speed of the
gyro to ensure the object is always in a balanced position. The cause of the small
deviation that can be mentioned during the experiment is the viewing direction to
determine whether the slider mass has reached equilibrium or not. When observed, it
tend to fluctuate slightly, so determining the equilibrium state is a bit difficult, but
even so, the results obtained are not significantly different.

Conclusion

To conclude, this gyroscope lab provides valuable hands-on experience in

understanding the principles of gyroscope motion. Through experiments and
observations, we explore concepts such as gyroscopic precession, angular momentum,
and practical applications of gyroscopes. The results obtained in laboratory tests
confirm the basic operation of gyroscopes and emphasize their importance in a variety
of fields, from navigation to engineering.