Gimballed Gyroscope - Physics Demonstrations - Gimballed Gyroscope | Physics Undergraduate Labs

The spinning rotor reaches high speeds and can cause injury if contacted. Keep hands, clothing, and hair away from the rotating parts. Ensure the motor drive is securely positioned to prevent slippage during spin-up.

Purpose

A three-axis gimballed gyroscope demonstrates angular momentum conservation and gyroscopic rigidity. Students observe how a spinning rotor resists reorientation and, when masses are clipped onto the shaft, precesses instead of tipping.

Gimballed gyroscope with black outer ring, white middle ring, red inner ring, and brass rotor, mounted on a black pedestal stand

Polished brass gimballed gyroscope on a brass pedestal stand, with a Dremel rotary tool and friction wheel beside it

Figure 1: Painted gimbal version: three concentric rings (black, white, red) allow the central rotor to maintain its orientation regardless of how the base is moved.

Figure 2: Brass gimbal version shown with the Dremel motor and friction wheel used to spin up the rotor.

Safety Warnings

Warning: Rotating Equipment Hazard

Purpose