Is this good for educators?

Yes — this version of "Gyroscope & Precession for a mass on a spring" is framed for educators teaching it to a class. Drop a live demo into a lecture or assign it as a shareable link — no lab installs.

Do I need to install anything?

No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.

For Educators · Gyroscope & Precession

Gyroscope & Precession for a mass on a spring

Built for educators teaching it to a class. Drop a live demo into a lecture or assign it as a shareable link — no lab installs. Simulate a mass on a spring live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.

Gyroscope & PrecessionLive

why a spinning top doesn't fall

Controls

Presets

Spin rate ω (rad/s)

Disk mass (kg)

Disk radius (m)

Pivot→CM distance (m)

Gravity applies a torque, but a fast-spinning disk responds by precessing sideways instead of toppling. Faster spin → slower precession: Ω = mgr / (Iω).

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Precession rate Ω15.70 rad/s

Precession period0.4 s

Spin inertia I6.25e-4 kg·m²

Governing equation

Ω = \frac{m g r}{I ω} = \frac{0.5 \cdot 9.81 \cdot 0.08}{I \cdot 40} = 15.70 rad/s

Reading this result: Gravity's torque never tips the top; it steers the spin axis in a circle every 0.4 s, the hallmark of gyroscopic precession.

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Frequently asked questions

Is this good for educators?: Yes — this version of "Gyroscope & Precession for a mass on a spring" is framed for educators teaching it to a class. Drop a live demo into a lecture or assign it as a shareable link — no lab installs.
Do I need to install anything?: No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.