How can the rigidity of a gyro be improved?

To improve the rigidity of a gyro, concentrating the mass on the rotor periphery is the most effective method. This approach takes advantage of the principles of rotational dynamics, where the moment of inertia of a rotating object plays a crucial role in its stability.

When mass is concentrated at the outer edges of the rotor, it increases the moment of inertia. A higher moment of inertia means that the gyro will resist changes in its orientation more effectively, thereby enhancing its rigidity. This means that the gyro maintains its axis of rotation with less deviation under external forces, which is essential for applications requiring high precision, such as navigation systems.

Other options, while they may relate to different aspects of gyro performance, do not contribute as directly to increasing rigidity. Simply increasing altitude does not affect the gyro's physical characteristics; reducing the rpm decreases the stability, and increasing the rotor diameter alone does not guarantee a concentration of mass at the periphery, which is essential for improving rigidity.