Golden

School
Amor, Disciplina y Estudio

Bicycle Wheel Gyro

Students’ Name: Francess

Andrade & Diego Tinoco

Teacher’s Name: Ms. Keyla

Avila

Date: 06/02/2024
 Abstract 1

This experiment investigates the gyroscopic properties of a

spinning bicycle wheel and demonstrates its resistance to
changes in direction. Using basic tools and materials such as
handles, a bicycle wheel, and a low-friction swivel chair or
stool, participants can experience firsthand how precise
force influences the behavior of the wheel and their
connection to it. By applying torque to the wheel,
participants observe how the resistance of the wheel affects
the development of their claim, understanding the precise
energy preservation rule. Furthermore, this experiment
briefly addresses the phenomenon of gyroscopic precession,
highlighting its complexity and relevance in areas such as
astronautics. Through this hands-on demonstration,
participants understand the crucial physics principles and
common-sense applications of gyroscopes in different
contexts, from bicycle mechanics to spacecraft guidance.

Introduction
A rotating bicycle wheel possesses angular momentum due
to its speed and mass distribution, particularly concentrated
at the rim rather than the center. This property, inherent in
rapidly spinning wheels, resists tilting efforts, demonstrating
gyroscopic behavior. The interaction between the wheel,
rider, and chair adheres to the principle of conservation of
angular momentum, ensuring that any change within the
system results in an equal and opposite change, maintaining
equilibrium.
 Conclusion 2

The experiment demonstrated that increasing the speed of

the bicycle wheel enhanced gyroscopic effects, leading to
improved stability and resistance to changes in orientation.

When we tried our experiment it didnt went as planned,

because we needed a gyratory stool or chair without a
backseat for a better rotation, but due to some internal
problems we couldnt get one so we tried it with two different
office chairs which didnt work because both of them had
backseats so better results get backless rotatory stool or
chair.
 Glossary
Introduction ----------------------------------------------------- 4

Materials & Steps ----------------------------------------------- 5

Result & Conclusion -------------------------------------------- 6

Acknowledgment & Special thanks -------------------------- 7

Bibliography ----------------------------------------------------- 8
 Materials 5

Two handles (plastic handles from a hardware store work

perfectly and are cheap; get the kind that’s designed to
screw onto a file)

A bicycle wheel (cheap or free from a thrift shop, bike

store, or friend)

A low-friction rotating stool or platform (typing or

computer chairs often work well) A partner

Optional: plastic spoke guards, screw eye (also known as

an eyebolt), drill, hook, chain or rope suspended from a
large stand or a ceiling

Steps
1. Screw the handles onto each side of the wheel’s axle. You
may have to remove the outer nuts to clear enough axle
for the handles. You may want to put plastic spoke
guards on the hubs first to protect your fingers from the
spinning wheel.
2. If you have the screw eye, drill a hole in the end of one
handle and mount the screw eye in the hole. (See
diagram below for assembly; click to enlarge.)
3. Sit on the stool or chair, hold the wheel by the handles
while another person gets it spinning as fast as possible.
Lift your feet off the floor and tilt the wheel. If the stool
has sufficiently low friction, it should start to turn. Tilt
the wheel in the other direction and see what happens.
 6
Result
Our project did not work at all because we didn't have the
proper materials, for example we needed a backless chair or
stool which we didnt have and the experiment needed a
backless one, so at the end the chair did not turn so we could
not prove our experiment.

Conclusion
The experiment demonstrated that increasing the speed of
the bicycle wheel enhanced gyroscopic effects, leading to
improved stability and resistance to changes in orientation.

When we tried our experiment it didnt went as planned,

because we needed a gyratory stool or chair without a
backseat for a better rotation, but due to some internal
problems we couldnt get one so we tried it with two different
office chairs which didnt work because both of them had
backseats so better results get backless rotatory stool or
chair.
 Aknowledment
7

To my mom and to the best teacher in the whole world Ms.

Keyla Avila

Special thanks
Thank you Ms. Keyla for helping me and giving me this
chance to present my science fair project to you.
 Bibliography
8

(2023) Bicycle Wheel Gyro. Exploratorium.

(https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/bicycle-wheel-gyro)