Bicycle Wheel
The axis of the bicycle wheel has a handle on each side that allows for an easy grip. For setting the wheel on a fast spin, a spool is mounted on the axis of the wheel, where a string can be wound up. It is also very easy to attach a string at the end of the axis to apply a torque to the wheel. Grabbing the wheel axis with the left hand let the right hand free to spin the wheel and, more importantly, to illustrate the use of the right hand rule to determine the direction of the angular velocity associated with the rotation of the wheel. Once the students are comfortable in describing rotation in terms of angular velocity or angular momentum , it is easy to demonstrate how the change of angular momentum is associated with a torque. For this purpose simply attach a string to the end of the axis of the wheel, then grab the axis of the wheel with one hand and spin it with the other, grab the string with your free hand and let go the axis of the wheel. The axis of the wheel will remain horizontal, but it will start to rotate around the vertical, in response to the torque being applied.
| Qty. |
name |
location |
notes |
| 1 |
Bicycle wheel with handles on the axis |
W106; Central Shelves; |
|
| 1 |
pair of Gloves |
|
W115; SouthWest Cabinet; U1; |
