Dartmouth professor discusses Foucault's pendulum

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Uploaded by on Mar 17, 2010

Physics and astronomy professor Jim LaBelle discusses the science behind a classic physics experiment, Foucault's pendulum, while seated next to Dartmouth's pendulum in Fairchild Tower.

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  • that actually exlains it very well...however, how does it continue to swing back and forth at a fixed diameter, if you don't have to repeatedly push the pendulum to keep it going? also, how long does it stay in motion for without any human interaction with the pendulum?

  • i have no idea about the foucalt pendulum but now i have an idea and undersyanding about ot..............

    tnx........

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  • This guy is TOO smart to be a physicist or astronomer I bet he is a Space Scientist! Great job Jim, I'll be showing it to my atmosphere's class.

  • @algol291 No, it has nothing to do with her. It has a significance on philosophy because philosophers say that this pendulum can discover the genesis of the universe, but of course, as Jim LaBelle said, it has to be "suitably oriented". Philosophy asks questions of the universe, physics answers them.

  • This isn't about the philosopher Michel Foucault is it? If it is, can someone explain what significance it has on philosophy?

  • @theatregeek69321 The answer is so simple to these questions. It's the most hilarious thing.

  • Just fukin say it 2:30 ......! AETHER !!!!

  • linear gyroscope... :)

  • @bleedingcry. These pendulums usually have a device (ex. Electromagnet) to perpetuate the motion.

  • This looks like Infinite Energy if there is no motor and second Does this spin differently like toilets do in other parts of the world? Shouldn't toilet water spin in the same direction all over the world if were all spinning the same direction regardless if above or below Equator?

  • What was the name of the 20th century physicist that speculated rotation relative to the universe?

  • What would happen if the pivot point of the pendulum were attached to an overhead track that was parallel to the equator, and the pendulum were swung perpendicular to the equator? It should move along the track and stay parallel to it initial angle, unless the earth gives it a nudge. In the beginning the pendulum mass is moving with the earth, but the the two masses try to move independant of each other. A point/force in space is determined by its mass and velocity. That mass will try tomaintain

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