1M40.10 - Large Classroom Pendulum

The rope hanging from the ceiling in LR 1 & 2 needs to be unhooked and the large pendulum bob attached.
Stand with your back to the blackboard, put the pendulum up to your nose and let it go. The length of this rope from the pivot point to the hook is 12' 1". With the pendulum bob attached it is 12' 6" (3.81 m) to the center of mass. Caution: Do not push the pendulum away from you, your nose will suffer.
Code Number:
1M40.10
Demo Title:
Large Classroom Pendulum
Condition:
Excellent
Principle:
Potential to Kinetic Energy, Simple Harmonic Motion
Area of Study:
Mechanics

Disclaimer

Equipment:
Classroom Pendulum (For LR 1 & 2).
Procedure:

The rope hanging from the ceiling in LR 1 & 2 needs to be unhooked and the large pendulum bob attached. Stand with your back to the blackboard, put the pendulum up to your nose and let it go. The length of this rope from the pivot point to the hook is 12' 1". With the pendulum bob attached it is 12' 6" (3.81 m) to the center of mass. Caution: Do not push the pendulum away from you, your nose will suffer. 

References:
  • M. I. Molina, "Simple Linearizations of the Simple Pendulum for Any Amplitude", TPT, Vol. 35, # 8, p. 489- 490, Nov. 1997.
  • James H. Head, "Building New Confidence with a Classic Pendulum Demonstration", TPT, Vol. 33, # 1, p. 10-15, Jan. 1995.
  • Robert H. Romer, "Faith in the Second Law of Thermodynamics", TPT, Vol. 33, # 3, March 1995, p. 135.
  • David G. Willey, "Conservation of Mechanical Energy Using a Pendulum", TPT, Vol. 29, # 9, Dec. 1991, p. 567.
  • George Amann, Floyd Holt, and James Flanagan, "Bowling Ball Physics", TPT, Vol. 22, # 6, Sept. 1984, p. 384 - 385.
  • Mr- 6,  Freier and Anderson,  A Demonstration Handbook For Physics.
  • M- 414,  "Bowl Ball & Galileo's Pendulum",  DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.
  • Tik Liem, "Will the Heavy Brick Hit Your Nose?", Investigation to Science Inquiry, p. 194.
  • Borislaw Bilash II, David Maiullo, "Nose to Nose", A Demo a Day: A Year of Physics Demonstrations, p. 89.
  • Julien Clinton Sprott, Physics Demonstrations,  "1.10, Bowling Ball Pendulum",  p. 27, ISBN 0-299-21580-6.
  • Borislaw Bilash II, “Nose to Nose“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 244.



Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.