Gyroscopic Precession

We have been collaborating on rotational motion, which is timely for some of the videos I've been doing lately. In this video I talk about gyroscopic precession - the "wobbling" of a spinning top around its axis.

This is caused by the torque due to the object's weight. The big idea is that the torque vector increases angular momentum in the direction of torque. So if there is no angular momentum initially, it will cause the system to swing in such a direction that it is rotating with new angular momentum in the direction of the torque. However, if there was angular momentum to begin with, the torque will change the direction of that angular momentum by causing precession.

[kcwidman]

I'm going to be honest, you straight up jump scared me there at the end.

[HarshiClasses]

I was stuck with the gyroscopic couple for a day or two, every time I thought I have understood, I would again get confused.
But your physical approach made things a lot more transparent to me.
Thank you very much, sir.

[brianskinner]

How humbling is the pursuit of knowledge. I came here after a several week long binge of spinning tops, and it took me that long to formulate the question relating to momentum and procession. I am a retired carpenter and the only math I have ever used is Trigonometry for stairs and rafters.

[Xenrel]

Coming back to rewatch this years later now that it's my university homework to watch it. I can't believe this was released back in 2012

[createataco]

Can anyone further explain what he is torquing about?

[TamimProduction]

Damn, this video doesn't seem 10 years old at all! Your quality is fantastic nowadays but man, you had it on a next level back then too!

[MangoVid]

Thanks for your explanation, Veritasium!

[fosheimdet]

At 1:21 you say that torque is given by: T=F x r, but isn't it T= r x F?? The order matters when it comes to cross product.

[DaylightDigital]

The torque vector as described would actually be R cross F, not F cross R. Don't forget this on your exams or you will definitely get the wrong answer!!!

[happysoul]

The way you explain things is amazing. Schools around the world should have teachers like you!

Thanks for the vid. Great work as always!

[msaurav]

This video is probably the best and simplest way to explain Gyroscopic effect on YouTube. Good work.

[sheelaaghera]

I watched a bunch of videos and checked this concept out in few books too but nothing made sense as much as Derek's video did. World's blessed to have a youtuber like him😊😊

[Kurchack]

Another great physics video from the University of YouTube.
Thanks.

[InterestingStuffWithMe]

Watched videos from this channel for entertainment and interest when I was a kid.... Now watching them to clear doubts for my upcoming exams... Studying aerospace engineering (mechanical)

[lucasscopello]

Dude this changing of thumnails is really working, im rewatching a LOT of old videos

[annas.]

Thank you! Much clearer explanation than my physics professor's! 

[Tinker_it]

Okay, I know this is an "old" video, but I'd really like to see what happens when you have two wheels spinning in opposite directions on the same axle.

[ruantristancarlinsky]

Man physics is truly amazing, really one of the most amazing subjects out there

[apurwakahawanugoda]

Never understood this phenomenon properly until I watched this video. Thanks😁

[BHMPictures]

Watching from Nobekaw, Ghana 🇬🇭. Thanks for the explanation