Rigid Body Dynamics

Gyroscope Precession

Explore torque-induced precession and nutation of a spinning flywheel. Observe how spin angular momentum L = Iω and gravitational torque τ = r × Fg force the precession vector Ωp = mgr/Iω to sweep horizontally.

Spin Speed ω_s 300 rad/s
Precession Speed Ω_p 0.784 rad/s
Torque τ 1.176 N·m
Angular Momentum L 1.500 J·s

Gyroscope Parameters

Visual Overlays

Controls

Gyroscope Precession Equations

Angular Momentum: L = I · ω_s
Torque from Gravity: τ = r · m · g · sin θ
Precession Angular Velocity: Ω_p = τ / (L · sin θ) = m · g · r / (I · ω_s)
Developer Reference

Core Algorithm & Standalone Script

// Gyroscope precession torque dynamics
const canvas = document.getElementById('canvas');
const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
// Omega_p = (m * g * r) / (I * omega_s)