Gyroscopic Effects on Bicycle wheels. Demo from Mr. Herbert's Science Class.

*Read Before commenting, please. Gyros precess slower at high speed, and with both ends of the axles fixed (unlike in this video), they still precess. I worked on INS Gyros in the USMC on RF4B Phantoms, so am not un-experienced. Challenging my buddy Jeff to balance a bicycle wheel (at the axle on the tip of his finger) had him perplexed till I showed him how. In this simple gyroscopic experiment, I demonstrate how gyros work on a much more visible size than most gyros, making it a perfect science class experiment. It also demonstrates the theory that most bicycles may knife edge a bit to the left at speed, however they will also get more gyroscopicaly stable with that speed. The pull however is slight and you would not notice it. This gyroscopic effect is prevalent on all vehicles with wheels.

My Dad ( a science and Math teacher in his lifetime) showed me this experiment when I was 9 years old. I never forgot it and pass it on in his honor. Thanks Dad.

The question remains: Does this Precessing direction reverse, South of the Equator, like toilet Bowl Flushes?

Please take a moment rate the video, subscribe, and stay tuned for more RC Television shows. Thanks kindly for all your support.

Best Regards,
Dave Herbert
Academy of Model Aeronautics # 8221
Contest Director, Leader Member, Scientific division.

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http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3235026-10471876

HobbyPartz
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Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA)
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Disney Toy Store
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[spektrum33]

Always entertaining to watch {"_*} now that would be a great trick to play at a party just to see what would happen ...

[NightFlyyer]

@spektrum33 Thanks kindly sir. Give it a go..

[Egg3141592654]

Remember kids, Linear Momentum must be conserved, so you are robbing the earth of some rotational energy!

[NightFlyyer]

@Egg3141592654 Haha. I'm smiling over that one. Thanks.

[CommanderGalos]

Mr. Herbert... this only proves an axiom that I heard of a couple decades ago.

"You don't get older, you just get wiser."

Besides, this is a great alternative project from all those model vocanoes that innundate science fairs! ;)

[NightFlyyer]

@CommanderGalos Thanks kindly for your comments. I agree, and am laughing at your statement, cause it is so true about the Volcano Models. Hahaha.

[SlyDawg951]

Very nice, that proves you are never too old to get smarter or know some thing new also, keep then coming Dave

[RTatBstoke]

This reminds me of a demo we use to do at Sperry on open days.

[jasmine2501]

First time I saw this was in college physics. It is such a simple experiment to run - after you've derived all the formulas describing it, then it's cool to see it in action. The direction is always the same as long as you're in this universe.

[MMX3SE]

This is one of the reason that bicycle works.

[panther3002]

Sorry for all the posts, but gyroscopic precession I believe is also why a very aerobatic plane snap-rolls right (clockwise in the roll axis when viewed from the tail) when heavy up-elevator is applied (again, assuming Clock-Wise rotation of the prop when viewed from the cockpit). This is because the downward tail motion affects the prop rotation, and by gyroscopic precession, creates a hard right yaw. Get a plane with a short fuselage and huge elevator and give it a shot. Just pull back hard.

[panther3002]

PS. The direction of gyroscopic precession can be determined using a somewhat confusing application of the right hand rule.It goes like this: (Axis of Rotation) x (axis of applied torque) = (direction of precessional rotation). Note that the "x" here denotes cross product.1 more neat fact Dave. On a tail-dragger airplane, (assuming CW-rotating prop from the cockpit view), as the tail lifts up, extra Right rudder is needed to counter gyroscopic precession induced by the torque of the rising tail.

[panther3002]

@MidnightHeli ..(from my previous post)...which is created be centrifugal force when a person is on the *inside* of a rotating disk. The spinning then causes a force which would feel like gravity if the rotating disk were substantially large, so as to appear relatively flat, & the person were walking around the outside edge of it (on the inside side), with their head towards the center.This is hard to explain. I'd need to draw a picture. :) Thanks for the video though Dave! Gyroscopes are neat!

[panther3002]

@MidnightHeli I agree with you. It doesn't have anything to do with the earth's rotation. The earths rotation may create a force which affects the earth's spatial orbit around the sun, but it does not affect gyroscopes on earth. Also Dave, I love your videos, and I know you know a ton more than I on many topics, but gravity isn't created by the spinning of the earth either. It is a force due strictly to the mass of the earth. What you are thinking about is "artificially-induced gravity", ...

[Bthackrey]

it works better with a piece of string !!

[bayareaheli]

Can I mount this on my helicopter?

Dave why arnt you flying? :(

[raykiii]

Way cool. I think I like these videos of yours the best because I get to take the knowledge with me.