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Precession and nutation of a gyroscope

Eugene Butikov

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A simple treatment of the important old problem of the torque-induced rotation of a spinning symmetrical top is suggested. Our discussion is appropriate for teaching introductory mechanics and general physics to undergraduate students and is free from the difficulties of a traditional approach to the problem. The origin of nutation that accompanies forced precession is explained in detail, with an accent on its relationship to the torque-free precession of a symmetrical body. A small simulation program is developed that visualizes the investigated motion and illustrates its principal features. The program facilitates understanding about the counterintuitive behaviour of a gyroscope on a qualitative level.


PACS

45.20.da Forces and torques

45.40.Cc Rigid body and gyroscope motion

07.10.Pz Instruments for strain, force, and torque

01.40.Ha Learning theory and science teaching

Subjects

Mathematical physics

Instrumentation and measurement

Education and communication

Dates

Issue 5 (September 2006)

Received 24 March 2006, in final form 21 April 2006

Published 17 July 2006



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