Gyroscopic Motion Applet, HAMLET, College of Engineering, University of Maryland

User's Guide

This Simulation covers:

1. Steady Precession: ?-dot, F-dot, and ?-dot all remain constant and the rotational equations of motion can be
reduced to: SMx = -I F2 sin? cos? + Iz F sin ? (F cos? + ? )

2. Gyroscopic Effect: When ? = 90o, the three vectors, åMx, Wy, and wz all act along their respective positive
      axes and therefore are mutually perpendicular. The Top does not fall down under due to gravity if the product
      Iz x Wy x wz is correctly chosen to counterbalance the moment åMx of the rotor’s weight about the fixed point
      O. This unusual phenomenon of rigid-body motion is often referred to as the Gyroscopic Effect.

The user can experience the 3D view by adjusting the three parameters.

Change the Nutation angle, Spin Velocity about the z-axis, Precession velocity, I, and Iz. The changes in the motion can be noticed in the simulation.

Animation Control Buttons are placed near
the bottom to start, stop and go step by
step through the simulation.