Can a Pendulum Clock Function Independently of Gravity and Temperature Changes?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gavroy
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Clock Pendulum
AI Thread Summary
A pendulum clock's period is fundamentally dependent on gravity and the length of the pendulum, making it impossible for such a clock to function independently of these factors. The discussion highlights the inherent weaknesses of pendulum clocks in varying gravitational fields and temperature changes. Alternatives to pendulum mechanisms are suggested for more reliable timekeeping under different conditions. Historical designs, such as those from the 1700s, are mentioned as potential references for overcoming these challenges. Ultimately, the feasibility of creating a gravity- and temperature-independent pendulum clock remains questionable.
Gavroy
Messages
232
Reaction score
0
Hey
I asked myself whether there are any possibilities to construct a pendulum clock, which period is independent of the acceleration of gravity, which may differ at different places, or the extension of the pendulum lenght, that is caused by different temperatures?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
And? What answer did you give yourself?
 
well I have not a clue..that is why I want to ask you...
 
Well, the force of gravity and the length of the arm are pretty much the things that define the period of a pendulum, so if you are were hoping to build a clock without those things being constant, it pretty much couldn't use a pendulum.

Since those are things that a pendulum has as its weaknesses, why would you use a pendulum at all, instead of using an alternate method that is not susceptible to the very things that you plan to vary?
 
Gavroy said:
Hey
I asked myself whether there are any possibilities to construct a pendulum clock, which period is independent of the acceleration of gravity, which may differ at different places, or the extension of the pendulum lenght, that is caused by different temperatures?
Have you looked into the clocks designed in the mid to late 1700's by http://www.nmm.ac.uk/harrison" ?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Gavroy said:
well I have not a clue..that is why I want to ask you...

Hi-
but the point is: do you want to have an idea on how to overcome to acc. gravity or thermal change on the value square_root(g/L) or what?
 
How did you find PF?: Via Google search Hi, I have a vessel I 3D printed to investigate single bubble rise. The vessel has a 4 mm gap separated by acrylic panels. This is essentially my viewing chamber where I can record the bubble motion. The vessel is open to atmosphere. The bubble generation mechanism is composed of a syringe pump and glass capillary tube (Internal Diameter of 0.45 mm). I connect a 1/4” air line hose from the syringe to the capillary The bubble is formed at the tip...
Thread 'Physics of Stretch: What pressure does a band apply on a cylinder?'
Scenario 1 (figure 1) A continuous loop of elastic material is stretched around two metal bars. The top bar is attached to a load cell that reads force. The lower bar can be moved downwards to stretch the elastic material. The lower bar is moved downwards until the two bars are 1190mm apart, stretching the elastic material. The bars are 5mm thick, so the total internal loop length is 1200mm (1190mm + 5mm + 5mm). At this level of stretch, the load cell reads 45N tensile force. Key numbers...
I'd like to create a thread with links to 3-D Printer resources, including printers and software package suggestions. My motivations are selfish, as I have a 3-D printed project that I'm working on, and I'd like to buy a simple printer and use low cost software to make the first prototype. There are some previous threads about 3-D printing like this: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/are-3d-printers-easy-to-use-yet.917489/ but none that address the overall topic (unless I've missed...
Back
Top