Mechanics > Relative Motion DCS# 1E20.20

MODEL FOUCAULT PENDULUM

 

APPARATUS
wooden platform
202-15-B
rotator 202-15-B
hand crank
202-15-B
pendulum 202-14-E6
wireless camera
202-09-D6
video projector 202-09-G
 
DESCRIPTION
A pendulum swinging on a rotating platform models a Foucault pendulum on the earth.  It can be seen that the plane of oscillation of the pendulum remains fixed in the lab frame.  A wireless camera mounted on the platform shows the apparent precession of the plane of oscillation in the rotating frame, as would be seen by an earthbound observer watching the real thing. 

NOTES

Mount the pendulum so its point of support is over the center of the platform.

Mount the camera beyond the edge of the platform.