actual size 16 cm
Thermodynamics, Spectra series
- Parts
- 110
- Build
- 4 hrs 30 min
- Level
- Advanced
actual width 14 cm
Physics, Spectra series
High-Inertia Gyroscope
€36.00
A gimbal-mounted gyroscope with a weighted flywheel on ball bearings. Once spinning, the disc holds its orientation when you tilt the frame; push it gently and it tips at right angles to the push. That is precession, which follows from the conservation of angular momentum.
- Parts
- 72
- Build
- 3 hrs
- Level
- Intermediate
- Footprint
- 14 × 14 × 16 cm
- Weight
- 290 g
- Glue and battery
- None
Intermediate: several articulated parts
Batch sold out: the next one is being made in the workshop
- Missing part replaced free
- Ships within 2 business days
- 14-day returns
- Illustrated manual included
Ages 14 and up. Contains small parts.
High-Inertia Gyroscope in detail
The story
Léon Foucault named the gyroscope in 1852: a disc spun at high speed on a gimbal mount was meant to make the Earth's rotation visible. The same principle has since guided ships' compasses, aircraft artificial horizons and the stabilisation of satellites.
What you'll see move
Spin the flywheel, then tilt the frame: the disc refuses to follow and holds its orientation. Press gently on the frame: it does not tip in the direction you push, but at right angles to it. This motion is called precession.
Specifications
- Number of pieces
- 72 pieces
- Assembly time
- 3 hrs
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Dimensions
- 14 × 14 × 16 cm
- Weight
- 290 g
- Material
- PLA with 30% wood fibre
- Hardware
- Micro-screws and ball bearings included
- Glue required
- None
- Battery required
- None
In the box
- 72 wood-fibre composite parts, ready to assemble
- Micro-screws and ball bearings
- Illustrated step-by-step assembly manual
- No glue and no batteries: everything fits together and turns by hand
14+
Ages 14 and up. Contains small parts: not suitable for children under 3, choking hazard.
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- Parts
- 88
- Build
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- Level
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- Parts
- 130
- Build
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