Gyroscopic precession is the phenomenon where the axis of a spinning object slowly rotates or changes direction when an external torque is applied. This behavior is seen in spinning tops, bicycle wheels, and gyroscopes, and is a direct result of the principles of angular momentum.
When a torque acts on a spinning object (like gravity pulling on a tilted spinning top), the object doesn’t fall in the direction of the torque. Instead, its rotational axis shifts at a right angle to the applied torque, causing it to trace a circular path. This movement is known as precession.
The speed and direction of precession depend on:
- The angular momentum (how fast and massive the object is spinning),
- The magnitude and direction of the torque.
Gyroscopic precession is critical in navigation systems (gyroscopes in airplanes and ships), bicycle and motorcycle stability, and even planetary motion. It demonstrates the non-intuitive behavior of rotating bodies under external forces and is a key concept in rotational dynamics.