Gyroscope Physics Demonstrator — Precision Gimbal Mount

Spin it up. Try to tip it over. Watch angular momentum fight back.

A spinning gyroscope resists changes to its axis of rotation — the same principle that stabilizes satellites, guides missiles, keeps ships upright in rough seas, and allows astronauts to point the Hubble Space Telescope with milliarcsecond precision. This precision-balanced gyroscope in a fully articulated gimbal mount lets you feel angular momentum directly in your hands.

What you can demonstrate:

• Conservation of angular momentum
• Gyroscopic precession — why a spinning top doesn't fall
• Nutation — the wobble of a precessing axis
• Euler's equations for rigid body rotation
• The physics of inertial navigation systems

Specifications: Brass rotor · 3-axis aluminium gimbal frame · Weighted base · Pull-cord spin-up mechanism · Spins to 12,000 RPM · Run time: 3–5 minutes

Pick it up while it's spinning and try to aim it at the floor. It will surprise you every time.