EPISODE · Jun 13, 2022 · 59 MIN
The Maths of Gyroscopes and Boomerangs
from Gresham College Lectures · host Gresham College
Spinning things are strange. Why does a spinning top stand up? Why doesn't a rolling wheel fall over? How does a falling cat always manage to land on its feet? How can the Hubble Space Telescope turn around in space? How do ice-skaters spin so fast? Taking a look at gyroscopes, this lecture explores the common threads that link all spinning things. The law of Conservation of Angular Momentum is far more subtle than we may think and there are many counter-intuitive observations.A lecture by Professor Hugh HuntThe transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/gyroscopes-boomerangsGresham College has been giving free public lectures since 1597. This tradition continues today with all of our five or so public lectures a week being made available for free download from our website. There are currently over 2,000 lectures free to access or download from the website.Website: http://www.gresham.ac.ukTwitter: http://twitter.com/GreshamCollegeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/greshamcollegeInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/greshamcollegeSupport the show
What this episode covers
Spinning things are strange. Why does a spinning top stand up? Why doesn't a rolling wheel fall over? How does a falling cat always manage to land on its feet? How can the Hubble Space Telescope turn around in space? How do ice-skaters spin so fast? Taking a look at gyroscopes, this lecture explores the common threads that link all spinning things. The law of Conservation of Angular Momentum is far more subtle than we may think and there are many counter-intuitive observations. A lectu...
NOW PLAYING
The Maths of Gyroscopes and Boomerangs
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
May 31, 2026 ·25m
May 31, 2026 ·30m
May 31, 2026 ·57m
May 31, 2026 ·32m
May 31, 2026 ·29m
May 31, 2026 ·37m