PHYSICS   LECTURE   DEMONSTRATIONS

Bicycle Wheel


 UNIT: Angular momentum

PURPOSE: Illustrate conservation of angular momentum

EQUIPMENT:
1. Led-rim bicycle wheel with handles
2. Rotating metal stool
3. Electric drumell motor (20k rpm)

SUGGESTIONS:
1. With slow rotation of the wheel, demonstrate the effect of torque (a) turning the axis (b) breaking
2. Spin fast, ask a student to (a) translate the wheel along axis (b) turn the axle
3. Ask a (small) student to sit on the stool. Hand the spinning wheel, axis vertical. Ask the student to flip the axis 180 degrees.

DISCUSSION: --
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1. Spinning Up the Wheel
2-5. Wheel spinning on a string and precessing
6. Wheel in a stationary position
7. Flipping the wheel
8. Resultant spin of the student