Precession
Precession
Precession (pronunciation: /prɪˈsɛʃən/) is a change in the orientation of the rotational axis of a rotating body. In an appropriate reference frame it can be defined as a change in the first Euler angle, whereas the third Euler angle defines the rotation itself. In other words, if the axis of rotation of a body is itself rotating about a second axis, that body is said to be precessing about the second axis.
Etymology
The term "precession" comes from the Latin praecedere, meaning "to precede, to come before or earlier". It was first used in the context of astronomy in the 17th century.
Related Terms
- Axial precession: Also known as precession of the equinoxes, axial precession is a gravity-induced, slow, and continuous change in the orientation of an astronomical body's rotational axis.
- Apsidal precession: Apsidal precession is the rotation of the line joining the apsides of an astronomical body's elliptical orbit.
- Nutation: Nutation is a rocking, swaying, or nodding motion in the axis of rotation of largely axially symmetric objects, such as spinning tops and planets.
- Torque-induced precession: Torque-induced precession is the phenomenon in which the axis of a spinning object (such as a part of a gyroscope) "wobbles", or precesses, when a torque is applied to it.
- Gyroscope: A gyroscope is a device used for measuring or maintaining orientation and angular velocity. It is a spinning wheel or disc in which the axis of rotation is free to assume any orientation by itself.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Precession
- Wikipedia's article - Precession
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski