PASCO ME-6837 User Manual
Bicycle Gyroscope
®
3. Bicycle
Gyroscope
Snap Hook
Handle
Counter
balances
Hand grip
Cord
Flanged
bearing
adapter
Notch
Cord
loop
2. Pull Cord
with Handle
1. Suspension Cord
with Handle
Knot
ME-6837
Instruction Sheet
012-12146A
*012-12146*
Introduction
The PASCO ME-6837 Bicycle Gyroscope can be used to demonstrate the fun and surprising properties of a rotating high mass
gyroscope.
Note: It is easier to operate the gyroscope with two people than
with one person.
Included
1. Suspension Cord with Handle
2. Pull Cord with Handle (111 cm or 44 in)
3. Bicycle Gyroscope
800-772-8700 www.pasco.com
®
Model No. ME-6837 Recommended
Cord
Cord
loop
Snap
Hook
Handle
Axle
Figure 1
Recommended
• Rotating Chair (ME-6856)
• Hooked Mass Set (SE-8759)
• Braided Physics String (SE-8050)
• Photogate Head (ME-9498A)
Operation
The gyroscope is balanced by the manufacturer. You do not need
to adjust the counterbalances that are on the rim of the wheel.
Spin up the gyroscope using the starter handle.
• Put the knotted end of the pull cord in the notch on the
edge of the flanged bearing adapter.
• Wrap the cord around the pulley of the adapter.
• Have one person hold the gyroscope by the hand grips
and have the second person quickly pull the handle so that
the cord causes the gyroscope to spin.
1. Demonstrate precession by hanging the spinning gyroscope
by the cord.
• First, show that a non-spinning gyroscope does fall if you
suspend one end of the axle from the cord and let go of
the other end of the axle. Start with a non-spinning gyroscope. Connect the snap hook of the suspension cable
through the hole in one end of the axle so that the gyroscope can be suspended by the cord. Hold the other hand
grip so the axle is horizontal. Release the hand grip so the
gyroscope is suspended by the cord..
• Next, show that a spinning gyroscope does not fall when
you release the hand grip. Keep the suspension cord
attached to the axle. Hold the other hand grip so the gyroscope axle is horizontal Wrap the pull cord around the
pulley of the flanged bearing adapter. Pull the cord to spin
the gyroscope. Release the hand grip. Instead of falling,
the spinning gyroscope slowly rotates in a circle (precesses) around the cord from which it is hanging (see Figure 1).
2. Determine the rotational inertia of the gyroscope. Clamp the
hand grips of the gyroscope to support rods so the gyro is
vertical and free to rotate. Secure a string to the notch in the
flanged bearing adapter, and wrap the string around the pulley. Attach a mass to the string and let the mass drop to
accelerate the gyroscope. You can measure the acceleration
of the gyroscope using a Photogate*.
3. Demonstrate the conservation of angular momentum. Sit on
a rotating chair (such as the ME-6856) while holding the
hand grips of the spinning gyroscope at arms length. Hold
the gyro so that it is vertical. Turn the hand grips of the gyro
to rotate the axle clockwise or counterclockwise and observe
what happens. Carefully stop the gyroscope from rotating by
rubbing against the outer edge of the gyro and observe the
resulting angular momentum of you and the rotating chair.
4. Use the gyroscope as a top: After spinning up the gyroscope,
place the rounded end of a hand grip down on the floor or a
table and let the gyro spin horizontally like a top.
*The nine holes and one notch on the edge of the flanged bearing
adapter are evenly spaced and there is enough room to insert a
Photogate Head between the flange and the wheel. Connect the
Photogate Head to a Smart Timer or a PASCO interface to time
the motion of the gyroscope (see Figure 2).
2
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