Also known as a Simple Pendulum, a pendulum is a body suspended from a fixed support, which swings back and forth due to gravity. It is used to regulate a number of devices, most commonly used in clocks.

It comprises of a mass, known as a Bob, which in turn is suspended from a fixed point so that it can swing in an arc which is further is determined by its momentum and gravity. A simple pendulum makes each swing in the same time, independent of the size of the arc. This has been used in earlier astronomical studies to measure time. The longer the pendulum, the longer is the time of its swing. The mechanism is used to regulate and control the speed of a clock.

Types of Pendulum

• Conical Pendulum: It is a pendulum, swinging in a circle so as to form a cone.
• Torsion pendulum: In this type of pendulum, the bob oscillates by twisting and untwisting, similar to a balance wheel of a watch.

Use of a Pendulum

• Clocks
• Physics Laboratory
• Educational Laboratory