What is a Pendulum What is a Pendulum

What is a Pendulum?

What is a Pendulum? n A pendulum is loosely defined as something hanging from a fixed point which, when pulled back and released, is free to swing down by gravity and then out and up because of its inertia (or "tendency to stay in motion. “) Source: http: //helix. gatech. edu/classes/me 2202/2000 s 3/projects/swarner/definition. htm

n A Pendulum Bob is any object that hangs on the pendulum string.

Motion of a Pendulum n n n Oscillation-refers to the back and forth motion of a pendulum Period-the amount of time it takes the bob to make one round trip (from start point back to other side and back to start point) Frequency-the number of periods within a unit of time. Kinetic energy-the energy of motion Potential energy-energy stored in an object due to it’s height above the lowest point. Period moves bob from 1 -3 and back again

Can you think of any pendulums used in “real world”?

Pendulums in Real Life

A seismometer records the vibrations from earthquakes. Mechanical versions work by way of a large mass, freely suspended. A rotating drum records a red line on a sheet of paper. If the earth moves (in this case from left to right) the whole machine will vibrate too. However, the large mass tends to stay still, so the drum shakes beneath the pen, recording a squiggle! The confiner prevents the mass from bouncing around all over the place.