2 ms·
i don't know a lot about the physics of it, but won't this run into power loss issues because of the constant changes in angular momentum of the main spinning g
by jmole 8y ago
i don't know a lot about the physics of it, but won't this run into power loss issues because of the constant changes in angular momentum of the main spinning gears?
- arketyp 8y agoI always thougth the point of those cages was to keep the wheel in its steady angle, but it seems it's rather the opposite -- to spread the angle around. I think you're observation is right, and I suppose that's the compromise. If it's a good compromise is besides the point I guess, as with mechanical watches in general.
- amluto 8y agoThere’s no inherent reason that would happen. If you hold a gyroscope and try to change its axis, it feels like it’s fighting back and that you’re therefore doing work. It’s not, though. It’s fighting across, applying a torque orthogonal to the way you’re trying to turn it, and that doesn’t involve any energy transfer. Another way to understand this is that the rotational speed of the innards of the tourbillon is unaffected by turning the whole contraption. The angular momentum changes, but not the energy. You can find a gyroscope to play with in a toy store, your local science museum, or (carefully!) in the form of a 3.5” HDD that’s powered on.