A Tribute to Angular Momentum

First picture shows an extremely precise gyroscope whose precession was used to test general relativity in Gravity Probe B.

People debate the importance of angular momentum and precession to the stability of bicycles. (A speed skater is also stable, but doesn't have much angular momentum.)

The precession of the Earth itself is due to gravitational torque from the sun, which in turn comes from the Earth's equatorial bulge and the inclination of its axis with respect to the axis of its orbit. The period is about 25,000 years, so Polaris makes slow circles in the sky on that time scale.

The divers don't have much to do with precession, but they are an interesting study in angular momentum. How do they stop twisting?

The frisbee precesses as well, which is why it sometimes curves, the torque coming from aerodynamic effect.

The final two videos are my own, and show the Exploratorium in San Francisco and my bathroom sink with reading material, respectively.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• angular
• momentum
• zarathustra
• gyroscope
• precession

[TheSerpant1483]

@Kg277 It's to small, we can't see it on camera.

[Kg277]

How about a tribute to my dick? its got angular momentum and precession when I whip it around!

[lepton56]

That is a very good video...Loved the sound track from 2001 A Space Odyssey....I also liked the Feynman Lectures that the Gyros are on in your bathroom....Love that Gravity Probe B experiment