Angular Momentum / Inertia

Principles Illustrated: Conservation of Angular Momentum

Location: Back Counter

An ordinary bicycle wheel is altered by the addition of lead around the rim. The wheel makes a good gyroscope for demonstrating precession (hang the spinning wheel from one handle) or conservation of angular momentum (turn the spinning wheel while seated on our spin stool.)

Principles Illustrated: Conservation of Angular Momentum

Location: Cabinet A, Shelf 1

A high-quality gyroscope with multiple configurations. An electric spinner makes it easy to get the gyro up to working speed.

Principles Illustrated: Moments of Inertia

Location: Cabinet A, Shelf 2

A hoop and a disk, of equal size and nearly equal mass are allowed to roll down an incline. The acceleration of the objects is based on their moments of inertia.

A hollow and a solid sphere are also available.

Principles Illustrated: Angular Force and Friction

An exaggerated yo-yo is used to demonstrate some critical relations between the angle of the force vector (string) and the friction between the yo-yo and a surface. For three different angles the yo-yo either rolls forward (string unwinds); rolls backward (string winds), or the yo-yo is dragged without any rolling motion.

Principles Illustrated: Moment of Inertia

Location: Cabinet B, Shelf 2

Two hollow cylinders are weighted symmetrically. One baton has the weights placed at its ends, the other in the center. Grasp the batons in the center and try to rotate them back and forth.

Suggestion: Give the end weighted baton to a seemingly strong student and the center weighted baton to a relatively weak looking student. Have a contest as to who can move the baton the fastest.