Harmonic Motion and The Coriolis Effect

[savedbynails]

I think that this is the proper place for this, but move it if I'm wrong.

I'm conducting a physics project that has to do with what I think is the coriolis effect and simple harmonic motion. If a free swinging pendulum is let swing from a point over a level sand pit, as it swings, it will leave trails in the sand. But the trails are not a linear, back and forth motion. The pendulum swings back and forth within a circlular pattern, making equal periods as it swings. I'm pretty sure this has something to do with Earth's rotation, but I am not sure what.

Questions
1: What exactly is the coriolis effect?
2: Is the coriolis effect making the pendulum swing in a circle?
3: From what i can find, the coriolis effect has nothing to do with Earth's rotation directly, but a rotating frame of reference. Is this applicable to Earth's rotation?
4: Is there any background information that would be cool to apply or include in this presentation?
5: Any other cool project ideas that have something to do with simple harmonic motion would be appreciated.

Thanks,
-savedbynails

Oh, BTW, I'm also looking into doing an almost completely computer-generated presentation on something to do with either Time dialation, plasma, nuclear physics, or something neat with sub-atomic particles. Any ideas for this would also be greatly appreciated.

 

[valtorEN]

i recommend searching google for what is known as a foucalut pendulum
any classical mechanics text will show u all u need to know about this
its sort of tricky as u have to have rotating frame of reference
see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coriolis_effect
cheers
nate

 

[savedbynails]

i recommend searching google for what is known as a foucalut pendulum
any classical mechanics text will show u all u need to know about this
its sort of tricky as u have to have rotating frame of reference
see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coriolis_effect
cheers
nate

Gotta love Wikipedia. :)

thanks nate,
-Sean

 

[savedbynails]

okay, I am trying to write a program to display a foucalut's pendulum. That covers a physical demonstration. I'm going to talk about what it is and what it shows. But...

I need to answer some sort of question... HELP!