Gyroscopic Precession, Also a Nice Physics Project

I do hope our Physics professor doesn't see this... Hahahaha

My class in Physics is already in torque and rotational kinematics. Just a while ago she told us to try to explain this kind of "phenomenon" to an ordinary high school student. I haven't answered this yet (because of the approaching exams) so here's what's in it. (If you can answer it, please comment below.)

My skills in Paint! Hahaha That's a bicycle wheel by the way.

This "phenomenon" in Physics is known to be gyroscopic precession. Just read more about that in the Internet because I don't feel like defining it. (Here's the Google search for it.)

Here's the concept:

1. Here we have a bicycle wheel attached to a string. The string is attached to a rod.
2. We spin bicycle wheel. The faster the better.
3. After that we let the bicycle wheel stand.
4. Voila! The bicycle wheel stands, and is rotating about the string.
5. When you try to let the bicycle wheel stand horizontally while the wheel is spinning, it would be harder than letting the bicycle wheel stand horizontally when it's not spinning.
6. It's fun! Try again.

Here's the YouTube link for a better view. (Unfortunately they disabled the embedding.)

This make a really great Physics Project! It looks cool and is fun to play with. Hahaha

Answers or ideas? You may post in the comments section.


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