Spirograph, pen

 

Code Number: 1E20.17

Demo Title: Spirograph

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Modeling of the Foucault Pendulum

Area of Study: Mechanics

Equipment:  

Spirograph (or spirograph program).

Procedure:

The various wheel and gear systems of a Spirograph set can be used to show Foucault pendulum motion and patterns.  This apparatus can also be used to show retrograde motion in astronomy.

References:

  • Joseph D. Romano, "Foucault's Pendulum as a Spirograph", TPT, Vol.  35, # 3, p.  182-183, March 1997.
  • Takao Takeuchi, "Physics is Fun with Spirograph", TPT, Vol.  35, # 4, p.  199, (April 1997).
  • J. Gerard Anderson, "An Electronic Spirograph", TPT, Vol. 12, # 2, Feb. 1974, p. 89.
  • Francis S. Lestingi, "Projection Epicycles", TPT, Vol. 11, # 3, March 1973, p. 249.
  • Francis S. Lestingi, "A Projection Moving - Eccentric Model", TPT, Vol. 11, # 5, May 1973, p. 315.
  • George M. Hopkins', "The Cycloidotrope", Experimental Science, Volume Two, p. 133.
  • Martin Gardner, "Spin a Hypocycloid", Entertaining Science Experiments with Everyday Objects, p. 54.
  • "How to Make a Wondergraph", The Girl Mechanic, pp. 25 - 30, ISBN 978-1-58816-610-4