{"id":174,"date":"2020-04-14T20:44:09","date_gmt":"2020-04-14T20:44:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.physics.wisc.edu\/ingersollmuseum\/?page_id=174"},"modified":"2026-05-13T06:52:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T06:52:19","slug":"humangyroscope","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.physics.wisc.edu\/ingersollmuseum\/exhibits\/mechanics\/humangyroscope\/","title":{"rendered":"Human Gyroscope"},"content":{"rendered":"

Human Gyroscope<\/h1>\n\n\n
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\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A Bicycle Wheel Is Needed<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

WHAT TO DO<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. STAND BY BUT NOT<\/strong> ON THE TURNTABLE.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. PICK UP THE BICYCLE WHEEL.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. HOLD THE WHEEL SO THE AXIS IS HORIZONTAL.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. HAVE A FRIEND GIVE A MODERATE SPIN TOTHE WHEEL<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. STEP ONTO THE TURNTABLE.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. TURN THE WHEEL SO THAT THE AXIS IS VERTICAL!<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE THE AXIS  OF THE WHEEL VERTICAL?<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU TURN THE WHEEL SO THAT YOUR OPPOSITE HAND IS HIGHER?<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    ANSWER<\/u><\/strong>:<\/strong>
    The turntable turns in the direction opposite to the direction the bicycle wheel is spinning. When you turn the wheel over, the turntable begins to turn in the other direction
    – WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?<\/p>\n\n\n

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    Original 1918 Museum Exhibit<\/em><\/blockquote>\n\t
    \n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Physics Lecture Demonstration Database<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n