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How to Measure a Yaw With a Gyroscope

Gyroscopes are devices that contain an internal component that is spinning very rapidly. Gyroscopes are able to measure rotational movement due to the law of the conservation of angular momentum. Depending on their orientation, gyroscopes can measure changes in angular momentum among three different axes: yaw, role and pitch. Changes in angular momentum will cause the gyroscope to move somewhat, a process known as precession; precession can be negated by applying an external force and the measurement of this external force will measure yaw.

Things You'll Need

Gyroscope with device to measure precession

Instructions

- 1
  Orient your gyroscope so that it is pointing straight up. The yaw axis of momentum will be perpendicular to the gyroscope in this orientation, allowing the gyroscope to measure changes of yaw.
- 2
  Attach your gyroscope to some mechanism that will negate precession. Precession will occur as the yaw changes. Two basic things can negate precession: springs and an electric motor. Either one can be used to generate a force to counteract the precession induced by changes in yaw.
- 3
  Measure the value of the precession-counteracting force. The amount of force needed to correct the precession will be proportional to the change in yaw.

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