What is a gyroscope?

The term "gyroscope" refers to any object mounted so that it turns very quickly around an axis of symmetry. Many different kinds of objects rotate or can be caused to rotate (e.g., a top, a bicycle wheel, a figure skater, the Earth and the other planets in the solar system, some communication and research satellites, an umbrella, an egg). All these objects display gyroscopic properties. People have used the properties of the gyroscope to invent a range of guidance and stabilization systems such as those used in aeroplanes and submarines. What is special about a gyroscope? A fundamental property of gyroscopes is gyroscopic inertia, also known as the gyroscopic effect. The first thing we need to understand is the meaning of "inertia". This is a principle which says that all objects naturally resist any acceleration or change of direction. (For example, the occupants of a car jerk forward when the car comes to a sudden stop because the bodies, due to their inertia, are still moving forward even though the car has stopped.) When we speak of gyroscopic inertia, we are talking about the inertia possessed by a rotating body. This is the tendency of all objects rotating around an axis to maintain a fixed orientation, or direction of spin and position; that is, if there are no forces. In other words, a rotating object tends to stay in the same position. On Earth, spinning gyroscopes will eventually come to a stop because of air resistance and friction. However, this will not occur in an ideal environment such as Space. What are some of the applications of the gyroscopic effect? Bicycle stabilization: It is far easier to maintain your balance on a moving bicycle than on a motionless bicycle. We know that a rotating object tends to stay in the same position. The faster the object rotates, the greater its gyroscopic inertia and the more difficult it is to change its direction of spin and position. For example, the faster a bicycle wheel is turning, the more gyroscopic inertia it has, the more stable the bicycle and the easier it is to maintain your balance. Guidance and stabilization instruments (navigation instruments): The artificial horizon used by aircraft pilots is produced by a spinning gyroscope. This instrument is extremely important to the pilot, as it shows him/her the position of the aircraft with respect to the true horizon.

In aeronautics, gyroscopes are also used in compass-bearing devices, instruments for determining direction and in equipment stabilization instruments. Similarly, gyroscopes are used to stabilize ships and submarines Stabilization of orbiting satellites: Many satellites spin very quickly about their own axes. This spin gives the satellite gyroscopic inertia. The satellite then tends to maintain a fixed orientation, or direction, in space (very important for communication satellites). Back to menu How does a bicycle make use of the gyroscopic principle?

A spinning object reacts differently to an outside force than does a stationary object. If a force is applied to a freestanding object that is not rotating, the object turns in the direction of the applied force. However a rotating object does not start turning in the same direction as the force applied to it. It reacts as if a force had been applied to it at some other point. This is called precession. Like gyroscopic inertia, precession contributes to a bicycles stability and ease of handling. When you are riding a bicycle, you usually try to maintain your balance directly above the point of contact with the ground, except when you want to make a turn. To turn a corner, you lean into the turn, or the bicycle will skid. You may not have realized that the reason for leaning is to produce precession in the wheel and make turning easier. The precession movement turns the bicycle in the direction you are leaning (without any need to turn the handlebars). In other words, as you approach a right-hand turn, you lean your body and the bicycle to the right. The precession this produces automatically turns the bicycle to the right. This keeps you close to the curb and prevents skidding. You then simply return the bicycle to its former vertical position -- until the next corner!