Effect of the clock case walls on a pendulum

Type:

Book Chapter

Author:

Robert James Matthys

Published:

2004

Publisher:

Oxford University PressOxford

Abstract This chapter describes an experiment designed to determine the effect of the walls of a pendulum clock case on a pendulum. The basic experimental approach was to measure the pendulum's clock rate and drive force, with the walls set at different distances from the pendulum. All measurements were made at atmospheric pressure. The walls affect the pendulum via the air between the walls and the pendulum. The bob is the biggest part of a pendulum, so its size and possibly its shape are important in determining the walls' effect on the pendulum. The results show that the walls made the pendulum run slower and increased the drive force. The walls' slowdown effect on the pendulum is independent of the angle of swing. Relative humidity causes changes in clock rate that are rather large for an accurate clock.

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