Precession and nutation of a gyroscope

A simple treatment of the important old problem of the torque-induced rotation of a spinning symmetrical top is suggested. Our discussion is appropriate for teaching introductory mechanics and general physics to undergraduate students and is free from the difficulties of a traditional approach to the problem. The origin of nutation that accompanies forced precession is explained in detail, with an accent on its relationship to the torque-free precession of a symmetrical body. A small simulation program is developed that visualizes the investigated motion and illustrates its principal features. The program facilitates understanding about the counterintuitive behaviour of a gyroscope on a qualitative level. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)