How Do Pendulums Work?
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What is a Pendulum?
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A pendulum is a weighted object suspended from a fixed point that, influenced by gravity, swings freely back and forth. Pendulums are most often used to help clocks keep time. A pendulum's constant oscillation allows clocks to keep time accurately. Pendulums are able to maintain consistent motion, as well as constant amplitude, because of the balance between inertia and gravity that affects the motion of the weighted object.
How a Pendulum Works
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Pendulums are kept in motion by two forces. Inertia gives the pendulum its tendency to remain in motion. Gravitational pull regulates this motion by compelling the pendulum to return to its resting (or equilibrium) position after it reaches a certain point in its swing. The distance that the pendulum can swing from its equilibrium position is dependent on a number of factors, including the length of the material that the pendulum is suspended from and the acceleration of gravity. However, that distance is always equal on both sides of the equilibrium position.
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How Outside Influences Affect Pendulums
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The mathematical model of a pendulum is a simple one that assumes no external forces affect the pendulum's function. However, in reality, there are several different external forces that routinely affect a pendulum's swing. Pendulums functioning in the real world are always subject to friction and air drag, which can shorten the distance that they swing from the equilibrium position. Though these outside factors affect the swing, the swing remains even on both sides of the equilibrium position.
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- Photo Credit Elisabetta Grondona
