---
tags:
  - science/physics
  - mechanical
  - angular-rate
  - gyroscope
  - sensors
created: 2026-05-16
breadcrumb: "Physics > Mechanical > Angular rate / rotation"
---

# Angular rate / rotation

> **Mechanism:** Coriolis & Sagnac effects

## Items

- **MEMS gyroscope** — Vibrating proof mass plus Coriolis effect; the gyro in every phone.
- **Fibre-optic gyro** — Two laser beams in a fibre loop in opposite directions; rotation gives a phase shift (Sagnac).
- **Ring laser gyro** — Counter-propagating lasers in a closed ring; rotation changes the beat frequency.
- **Spinning-rotor gyro** — Gimballed spinning rotor preserves orientation. Legacy aerospace.

## Related

- [[acceleration]]