StNicholas [serial] . investigation and study amongmen of science. Perhaps most of the readers ofSt. Nicholas have seen gyroscopes or gyro-scopic tops, and are more or less familiar withthe startling experiments that may be tried withthem. But probably few are aware just howmuch attention one of the properties of the gyro-scope is at present attracting in the mechanicaland scientific world. The thing about gyro-scopes that is claiming such decided attention isthe fact that, when you have once set the heavywheel in motion about the axle that passesthrough its center, this axle will resist an at
StNicholas [serial] . investigation and study amongmen of science. Perhaps most of the readers ofSt. Nicholas have seen gyroscopes or gyro-scopic tops, and are more or less familiar withthe startling experiments that may be tried withthem. But probably few are aware just howmuch attention one of the properties of the gyro-scope is at present attracting in the mechanicaland scientific world. The thing about gyro-scopes that is claiming such decided attention isthe fact that, when you have once set the heavywheel in motion about the axle that passesthrough its center, this axle will resist an at-tempt to change its direction. To understandthis clearly, refer to Figure I, where a very sim-ple gyroscope is illustrated. A is a wheel havinga heavy rim, B is the axle. This axle may bepointed at each end. These points fit in suitableholes in the ring C. By wrapping a cord around B and giving it a sharp pull, the heavy wheel Awill be set in rapid rotation. The whole may behandled by means of the outside ring C. We. FIG. I. A GYROSCOPE TOP. will suppose that you have set this gyroscope inrapid rotation. If now you carry it about theroom, being careful, however, to keep the axle B 420 THE GYROSCOPE [Mar., pointing in the same general di rection, you will prob-ably notice nothing peculiar. But if you attemptto change considerably and quickly the directionof B, you will notice a distinct resistance of thegyroscope. This may seem curious to you butnot very important. However, if you will readcarefully the remainder of this article, I hope toshow you that it is really a very important before doing this, let me tell you of anotherexperiment which you may easily try if you pos-sess and know how to use the new1 toy it in rapid rotation, keeping both sides of thestring as nearly vertical as possible, just as isshown in Figure 2. The top will have the axis,on which it may be supposed to turn, pointing ina certain direction. Now, while you are spinning
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