Pendulum Information

A pendulum is a weight suspended from a pivot so that it can swing freely. When a pendulum is displaced sideways from its resting equilibrium position, it is subject to a restoring force due to gravity that will accelerate it back toward the equilibrium position. When released, the restoring force combined with the pendulum's mass causes it to oscillate about the equilibrium position, swinging back and forth. The time for one complete cycle, a left swing and a right swing, is called the period. The period depends on the length of the pendulum, and also to a slight degree on the amplitude, the width of the pendulum's swing.

Types of Pendulums:

• Simple Pendulum – A single mass (bob) attached to a string or rod that swings back and forth.
• Compound Pendulum – A rigid body swinging about a pivot point.
• Foucault Pendulum – Demonstrates the Earth's rotation by slowly changing its plane of motion.
• Torsional Pendulum – Rotates around its axis instead of swinging back and forth.

Applications of Pendulums:

• Used in clocks (grandfather clocks) to regulate time.
• Scientific experiments (measuring gravity).
• Seismometers to detect earthquakes.
• Amusement park rides.