Experiment Mu-06
Instantaneous Axis
Description: A
bicycle wheel is pivoted at the center of mass so no gravitational torque can
be applied. The motion of the system should start with the instantaneous
axis along the axis of symmetry. The spinning wheel is given an angular
impulse at right angles to the original angular momentum in order to change the
direction of the angular momentum. The magnitude of the angular momentum
remains constant, so the instantaneous axis moves around the axle of the bicycle
wheel.
When
at rest, the bicycle wheel is still and rests on the vertical bar.
When
the bicycle wheel is in motion, it 'stands' on its own.
This page was last updated on
Friday August 15, 2008 8:37 PM
