Gyroscope – Gyroscopic Effects on the Movement of

airplanes and Ships – Gyroscope Stabilization.

If the axis of a spinning or rotating body is given an angular
motion about an axis perpendicular to the axis of spin, an
angular acceleration acts on the body about the third
perpendicular axis.

The torque required to produce this acceleration is known

as active gyroscopic torque.

A reactive gyroscope torque or couple also acts similar to

the concept of centripetal and centrifugal forces on a
rotating body. The effect produced by the reactive
gyroscopic couple is known as gyroscope effect
Whenever a rotational body changes its axis of rotation, a couple is applied on the
rotating body (Shaft). This couple is known as gyroscopic couple

When a body moves along a curved path with a uniform linear velocity, a force in
the direction of centripetal acceleration (known as centripetal force) has to be
applied externally over the body, so that it moves along the required curved path.
his external force applied is known as active force

When a body, itself, is moving with uniform linear velocity along a circular path,
it is subjected to the centrifugal force* radially outwards. This centrifugal force is
called reactive force. The action of the reactive or centrifugal force is to tilt or
move the body along radially outward direction.
Practical Example for Gyroscopic motion
 Automobile moves in a curved path gyroscopic forces act on spinning part
such as crankshaft, flywheel, clutch, gears, propeller shaft and wheels

 Aeroplanes takes a turn, the gyroscopic effects influence the engine parts as
well as the propeller and the gear reduction system
 Gyroscopic effect is also seen in the ship during its steering and pitching
Precessional Angular Motion
The angular acceleration is the rate of change of angular velocity with respect to time

Initial angular velocity of the disc (ω) is represented by vector ox; and the final angular
velocity of the disc (ω + δω) is represented by vector ox′
The vector xx′ represents the change of angular velocity in time δt i.e. the angular
acceleration of the disc.
This may be resolved into two components, one parallel to ox and the other
perpendicular to ox.
dθ/dt is the angular velocity of the axis of
spin about a certain axis, which is
perpendicular to the plane in which the axis
of spin is going to rotate. This angular
velocity of the axis of spin (i.e. dθ/dt) is
known as angular velocity of precession
and is denoted by ωP. The axis, about
which the axis of spin is to turn, is known
as axis of precession. The angular motion
of the axis of spin about the axis of
precession is known as precessional
angular motion.
Note
1. The axis of precession is perpendicular to the plane in which the axis of spin is
going to rotate.

2. If the angular velocity of the disc remains constant at all positions of the axis of
spin, then dθ/dt is zero; and thus αc is zero.

3. If the angular velocity of the disc changes the direction, but remains constant in
magnitude, then angular acceleration of the disc is given by αc= ω.dθ/dt = ω.ωP
The angular acceleration αc is known as gyroscopic acceleration
Gyroscopic Couple
Effect of the Gyroscopic Couple on an Aeroplane
ω = Angular velocity of the engine in rad/s,
m = Mass of the engine and the propeller in kg,
k = Its radius of gyration in metres,
I = Mass moment of inertia of the engine and the propeller in kg-m2
= m.k2,
v = Linear velocity of the aeroplane in m/s,
R = Radius of curvature in metres, and
ωP
= Angular velocity of precession = v /R rad/s
∴ Gyroscopic couple acting on the aeroplane,
C = I.ω.ωP
 Gyroscopic Effect Chart for Aeroplanes
S.No View Point Direction of Turn Effect
Propeller rotation
1 Rear end Clockwise Left Nose Raised Tail Depressed
2 Rear end Clockwise Right Nose Depressed Tail Raised
3 Rear end Anticlockwise Left Nose Depressed Tail Raised
4 Rear end Anticlockwise Right Nose Raised Tail Depressed

5 Front end Anticlockwise Left Nose Raised Tail Depressed

6 Front end Anticlockwise Right Nose Depressed Tail Raised
7 Front end Clockwise Left Nose Depressed Tail Raised
8 Front end Clockwise Right Nose Raised Tail Depressed
An aeroplane makes a complete half circle of 50 metres radius, towards left,when flying at
200 km per hr. The rotary engine and the propeller of the plane has a mass of 400 kg and a
radius of gyration of 0.3 m. The engine rotates at 2400 r.p.m. clockwise when viewed from
the rear. Find the gyroscopic couple on the aircraft and state its effect on it
Solution. Given : R = 50 m ; v = 200 km/hr = 55.6 m/s ; m = 400 kg ; k = 0.3 m ;
N = 2400 r.p.m. or ω = 2π × 2400/60 = 251 rad/s
We know that mass moment of inertia of the engine and the propeller,
I = m.k2 = 400(0.3)2 = 36 kg-m2
and angular velocity of precession,
ωP = v/R = 55.6/50 = 1.11 rad/s
We know that gyroscopic couple acting on the aircraft,
C = I. ω. ωP = 36 × 251.4 × 1.11 = 100 46 N-m
= 10.046 kN-m Ans.

when the aeroplane turns towards left, the effect of the gyroscopic couple is to lift the
nose upwards and tail downwards. Ans.
Terms Used in a Naval Ship
The fore end of the ship is called bow and the
rear end is known as stern or aft. The left
hand and right hand sides of the ship,when
viewed from the stern are called port and
star-board respectively.

1. Steering, 2. Pitching, and 3. Rolling.

Effect of Gyroscopic Couple on a Naval Ship during Steering
Effect of Gyroscopic Couple on a Naval Ship during Pitching
 • Angular velocity of precession,
• ∴ Angular displacement of the axis of
spin from mean position after time t
• The angular velocity of precession will be
seconds,
maximum, if cos ω1.t = 1.
θ = φ sin ω1. t ∴ Maximum angular velocity of
precession,
where φ = Amplitude of swing i.e. ωPmax= φ.ω1 = φ × 2π / tp ...(Substituting
cos ω1.t = 1)
maximum angle turned from the mean Let I = Moment of inertia of the rotor in
kg-m2, and
position in radians, and ω = Angular velocity of the rotor in rad/s.
ω1 = Angular velocity of S.H.M.
∴ Mamimum gyroscopic couple,

Cmax= I. ω. ωPmax
Effect of Gyroscopic Couple on a Naval Ship during Rolling

We know that, for the effect of gyroscopic couple to occur, the axis of precession should
always be perpendicular to the axis of spin. If, however, the axis of precession becomes
parallel to the axis of spin, there will be no effect of the gyroscopic couple acting on the
body of the ship.

In case of rolling of a ship, the axis of precession (i.e. longitudinal axis) is always parallel
to the axis of spin for all positions. Hence, there is no effect of the gyroscopic couple
acting on the body of a ship
 Gyroscopic Effect Chart for Ship during steering
S.No View Point Direction of Turn Effect
Rotor rotation
1 Stern Clockwise Left Bow Raised Stern Depressed
2 Stern Clockwise Right Bow Depressed Stern Raised
3 Stern Anticlockwise Left Bow Depressed Stern Raised
4 Stern Anticlockwise Right Bow Raised Stern Depressed
5 Bow Anticlockwise Left Bow Raised Stern Depressed
6 Bow Anticlockwise Right Bow Depressed Stern Raised

7 Bow Clockwise Left Bow Depressed Stern Raised

8 Bow Clockwise Right Bow Raised Stern Depressed
 Gyroscopic Effect Chart for Ship during pitching
S.No Pitching View Direction of Rotor Effect
Point rotation
1 Upward Stern Clockwise Ship turned towards star-board side
2 Upward Stern Anticlockwise Ship turned towards Port side

3 Upward Bow clockwise Ship turned towards Port side

4 Upward Bow Anticlockwise Ship turned towards star-board side

5 Downward Stern clockwise Ship turned towards Port side

6 Downward Stern Anticlockwise Ship turned towards star-board side

7 Downward Bow Clockwise Ship turned towards star-board side

8 Downward Bow Anticlockwise Ship turned towards Port side

A ship propelled by a turbine rotor which has a mass of 5 tonnes and a speed of 2100
r.p.m. The rotor has a radius of gyration of 0.5 m and rotates in a clockwise direction
when viewed from the stern. Find the gyroscopic effects in the following conditions:

1. The ship sails at a speed of 30 km/h and steers to the left in a curve having 60 m radius.
2. The ship pitches 6 degree above and 6 degree below the horizontal position. The bow is
descending with its maximum velocity. The motion due to pitching is simple harmonic and
the periodic time is 20 seconds.
3. The ship rolls and at a certain instant it has an angular velocity of 0.03 rad/s clockwise
when viewed from stern. Determine also the maximum angular acceleration during
pitching. Explain how the direction of motion due to gyroscopic effect is determined in
each case

Solution. Given : m = 5 t = 5000 kg ; N = 2100 r.p.m. or ω = 2π ×

2100/60 = 220 rad/s ; k = 0.5 m
Solution. Given : m = 5 t = 5000 kg ; N = 2100 r.p.m. or ω = 2π × 2100/60 = 220 rad/s ;
k = 0.5 m
1. When the ship steers to the left

The ship sails at a speed of 30 km/h and steers to the left in a curve having 60 m radius
Given: v = 30 km / h = 8.33 m / s ; R = 60 m
We know that angular velocity of precession,
ωP = v/R = 8.33/60 = 0.14 rad/s
and mass moment of inertia of the rotor
I = m.k2 = 5000(0.5)2 = 1250 kg-m2
∴ Gyroscopic couple,
C = I.ω.ωP = 1250 × 220 × 0.14 = 38 500 N-m = 38.5 kN-m
when the rotor in a clockwise direction when viewed from the stern and the ship steers to
the left, the effect of reactive gyroscopic couple is to raise the
bow and lower the stern.
2. When the ship pitches with the bow descending
Given: φ = 6° = 6 × π/180 = 0.105 rad/s ; tp= 20 s

We know that angular velocity of simple harmonic motion,

ω1 = 2π / tp = 2π / 20 = 0.3142 rad/s
and maximum angular velocity of precession,
ωPmax= φ.ω1 = 0.105 × 0.3142 = 0.033 rad/s
∴ Maximum gyroscopic couple,
Cmax= I.ω.ωPmax = 1250 × 220 × 0.033 = 9075 N-m
Since the ship is pitching with the bow descending, therefore the effect of this maximum
gyroscopic couple is to turn the ship towards port side.
3. When the ship rolls
Since the ship rolls at an angular velocity of 0.03 rad / s, therefore angular velocity of
precession when the ship rolls,
ωP= 0.03 rad /s

∴ Gyroscopic couple,
C = I.ω.ωP = 1250 × 220 × 0.03 = 8250 N-m
In case of rolling of a ship, the axis of precession is always parallel to the axis of spin for all
positions, therefore there is no effect of gyroscopic couple. Ans.

Maximum angular acceleration during pitching

We know that maximum angular acceleration during pitching.
αmax= φ (ω1)2 = 0.105 (0.3142)2 = 0.01 rad/s2 Ans
The turbine rotor of a ship has a mass of 8 tonnes and a radius of gyration 0.6 m. It rotates at
1800 r.p.m. clockwise, when looking from the stern. Determine the gyroscopic couple, if the
ship travels at 100 km/hr and steer to the left in a curve of 75 m radius

The heavy turbine rotor of a sea vessel rotates at 1500 r.p.m. clockwise looking from the
stern, its mass being 750 kg. The vessel pitches with an angular velocity of 1 rad/s.
Determine the gyroscopic couple transmitted to the hull when bow is rising, if the radius of
gyration for the rotor is 250 mm. Also show in what direction the couple acts on the hull?

The turbine rotor of a ship has a mass of 3500 kg. It has a radius of gyration of 0.45 m and a
speed of 3000 r.p.m. clockwise when looking from stern. Determine the gyroscopic couple
and its effect upon the ship:
1. when the ship is steering to the left on a curve of 100 m radius at a speed of 36 km/h.
2. when the ship is pitching in a simple harmonic motion, the bow falling with its maximum
velocity. The period of pitching is 40 seconds and the total angular displacement between
the two extreme positions of pitching is 12 degrees.
The mass of the turbine rotor of a ship is 20 tonnes and has a radius of gyration of 0.60 m. Its
speed is 2000 r.p.m. The ship pitches 6° above and 6° below the horizontal position. A
complete oscillation takes 30 seconds and the motion is simple harmonic. Determine the
following:
1. Maximum gyroscopic couple, 2. Maximum angular acceleration of the ship during
pitching, and 3. The direction in which the bow will tend to turn when rising, if the rotation
of the rotor is clockwise when looking from the left.