Visualise gyroscope precession in 3D

Direct answer

See why a spinning gyroscope does not fall: torque, angular momentum and the precession rate Ω = mgr/(Iω) in 3D.

Gravity's torque is horizontal and perpendicular to L, so it swings L round instead of tipping the gyroscope over. Faster spin means slower precession.

Simulation

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Gyroscope Precession in 3D

Rotational motion

Spin ω (rad/s) 200 rad/s

Arm length r (cm) 8 cm

Disc radius R (cm) 4 cm

Disc mass m (kg) 0.5 kg

Drag to rotate, two fingers or right-drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom. The toolbar has views, cutaway, measure and “show the maths”.

What's happening? Gravity's torque is horizontal and perpendicular to L, so it swings L round instead of tipping the gyroscope over. Faster spin means slower precession.

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Where it is in NCERT: Class 11 Physics Part I, “System of Particles and Rotational Motion” (Centre of mass, Motion of centre of mass, Moment of inertia, Theorems of perpendicular and parallel axes) · ncert.nic.in
Topic notes and formulas: Rotational Motion and Centre of Mass
Printable formula sheet
Chapter-wise JEE Main PYQs (11)