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29 November 2024 03:43
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Question |
| Asked by: |
Simon Lovell |
| Subject: |
Gyrospcope clock? |
| Question: |
I suspect that the answer to this question is that I've misunderstood the physics....
As I understand it, a freely rotating gyroscope will maintain its axis of rotation, and therefore to an observer will appear to rotate due to the rotation of the Earth. If this is true, can I use a gyroscope as a clock? If so, how can I build one? Is it as simple as getting a gyroscope, a motor and a gimbal?
What I have in mind is setting it spinning, then calibrating it by marking off hours as it rotates. According to my understanding I would have to recalibrate it if I moved it North or South, but not East or West.
If it would work, I'm really tempted to build one - I think it would be great to have a clock powered directly from the Earth's rotation. Can someone enlighten me?
Thanks
Simon |
| Date: |
16 January 2007
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Answers (Ordered by Date)
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| Answer: |
paul kenyon - 19/01/2007 18:56:25
| | | Simon,
The orientation of your gyro is not clear in your question. I am no expert and have questions of my own...however...let's assume you have the gyro cantilevered off a cone on one end of the axis as with the most basic example of gyroscopic precession. The gyro precesses, according to the formula describing its behavior, depending on the gravational force trying to make it "fall" and its rotational speed. The rotation of the Earth may also have an effect on it. Surely the friction of the bearings will, any air currents or other forces on it. My suggestion is that it would be an inacurate clock at best because of all the unknown forces that might act on it. If it is driven by a motor, there is the problem of getting power to the motor. That will be done, is usually done, via as frictionless contacts as possible....of a commutator sort and even these will wear and otherwise vary in the force on the gyro. If the gyro is in as good a vacuum as you can make, the motor will heat the remaining gas in the enclosure, will heat the bearings changing their characterists...etc. I think there are too many unknowns for this to work well.
Paul
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| Answer: |
Simon Lovell - 19/01/2007 23:30:45
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Thanks Paul,
Maybe I've been mislead by physics classes, with frictionless bearings and string of negligible mass.
In a way I'm tempted to see if it would work, but it would cost £100 or so for the equipment, and I think the wife, wonferful and indulgent of this sort of nonsense as she is, wouldn't be happy without a convincing theory that it would work (did I mention she's smart too?).
Unless someone can say "I'm absolutely convinced this will work" I think the gyroscope clock will remain on the drawing board.
Simon
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