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Actually, when I was in grade school, we had several NSF presenters come
and do demonstrations on physical science concepts.  The gyroscope was
aptly shown with a bicycle wheel and a "lazy susan" turntable.

It would take a bit more time to explain the top, but at lease we can
eliminate magic as the basic explanation.  I recently sent 3 links, one of
which is relatively simple.


On Sat, January 26, 2019 15:46, Brad Morris wrote:
> Bill
>
>
> You wrote:
>
>
> but they must be explained in a way that a twelve-year-old could easily
> follow.
>
> So here is my new explanation:
>
>
> The gyro stands straight up, due to magic!
>
>
> But really kids, when you grow up and understand such topics as inertia,
> torque, sliding friction, mass, moments and vector analysis, then and only
>  then will you have the tools to evaluate what is happening.  [The
> reference to the proper textbook should replace this sentence].
>
> Bill, a 12 year old may be lucky to have some algebra, but certainly no
> trigonometry.  Spinning objects, inertia and torque will come much, much
> later in their educational career, like a college level course in
> mechanisms.  Vector analysis would be university mathematics major.  If
> you insist that a 12 year old understand it, then "magic" is a good as an
> answer as any.
>
> A more responsible answer will simply refer those who are truly
> interested (in the physics, mechanics and math required) to the dang
> textbook.  Other than that, there simply isn't a simple answer.  That a 12
> year old can understand??  Hahahahaha!
>
> Brad
>
>
>
>
> On Sat, Jan 26, 2019, 4:47 PM Bill Morris 
>
>> An interim thank you to all those who have so far responded to my
>> original post.
>>
>> I have in mind to do a couple of experiments in response to some of the
>>  points raised and will report  on them as soon as I am able.
>> Meanwhile,
>> please keep on commenting.
>>
>> For those who might be after the prize, and only Sean C has tried for
>> it so far, I will permit the use of "vector" and "resultant", but they
>> must be explained in a way that a twelve-year-old could easily follow.
>>
>> Bill Morris
>>
>>
>> Pukenui
>>
>>
>> New Zealand
>>
>>
>> 
>> 
>>
>>
>
>
> :
> http://fer3.com/arc/m2.aspx/Gyro-sextant-Morris-jan-2019-g44118

   

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