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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.
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.