Foucault's Pendulum Apparatus

Description

PLEASE NOTE: Advanced Physics Equipment is built-upon-order. We do not stock these items in house, but order them built when an order is placed. Build orders take approximately 90 days.

Precise Demonstration Model Shows Earth's Rotation
Electrically Maintained - Needs no Attention
Idea Display Item for Science Rooms, Foyers, and Museums

Leon Foucault's famous 1851 experiment on the Pantheon in Paris used a 27 kg pendulum bog suspended on a 67m wire and demonstrated that the pendulum's plane of swing processed with the rotation of the Earth. This was th first direct dynamic evidence that the Earth rotates about a polar axis, and the phenomenon has been a popular topic of discussion ever since.

The precision of Foucault's pendulum is often poorly explained. At the Earth's poles the place of the swing remains constant relative to the fixed starts and appears to and Earth-based observer to rotate once every sidereal day. At the equator, the plane of the swing co-rotates with the Earth and the pendulum does not appear to precess. At other latitudes, the behavior is intermediate between those extremes and the pendulum precesses with respect to both the Earth and the fixed stars. At 30 degrees latitude, the apparent procession takes two days. If the motion is analyzed using a co-rotating coordinate system, then the force causing the precession is just the Coriolis force experienced by the moving bob.

This Foucault Pendulum Apparatus is a carefully constructed miniature version of Foucault's device. Since the forces causing the precession are small, the effect is easily disturbed by other environmental forces. To eliminate drafts, the pendulum is enclosed in a glass case, and the heavy vibration-damping base is equipped with leveling feet. The pendulum is electrically maintained to counter air resistance damping, and the swing amplitude can be adjusted using a potentiometer.

The suspension device ensures accurate centering of the pendulum's rest position over the graduated circle below the bob.

The graduated circle carries an adjustable double-ended marker bar for precise measurement of the plane of swing when tracking the precession rate.

The durable steel case is attractively finished suitable for permanent display, with a plaque carrying a brief description of Foucault's experiment.

Overall Dimensions are 16" x 16" x 57" high, weight is 110 lbs. Requires 110V AC.

Due to the weight of this item it will ship via freight. Shipping to the Continental US is included in the product price. HI, AK, PR and International customers please contact us for a quote.

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