Why does a pendulum move in a circular path?

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A pendulum initially moves in a straight line but begins to follow a circular path due to the Coriolis force, which affects its motion as it swings. This phenomenon is similar to how objects on a merry-go-round experience varying speeds based on their distance from the rotation axis. As the pendulum moves away from the center of its swing, it encounters changes in velocity, leading to acceleration that results in circular motion. The Coriolis effect is a result of the Earth's rotation, influencing the pendulum's trajectory. Understanding these forces provides insight into the pendulum's behavior in a rotating frame of reference.
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My teacher for Physics hns proposed an extra credit bonus if anyone could answer this question dealing with a pendulm. Why does the pendulm move as if it had a mind of its own. Refering to the circular motion the pendulm starts making after a couple seconds. When the pendulm is released to go in a back and forth motion (a straight line) it starts off straight but then starts to make a circular motion, usually counter clockwise. What is the reason in lamens terms for it's circular path. Please!
 
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I think it's caused by Coriolis force. Take a merry-go-roung for example, revolving at a constant angular velocity. Different part, at different distances from the rotation axis will move at different velocities, so if something moves away or towards the axis, it will feel the speed change, it will experience acceleration. The cause of that acceleration is the Coriolis force.
Since the Earth revolves around itself, then anything that moves towards or away from the Earth will experience the Coriolis force.
For more information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coriolis_effect
 

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