Foucault Sand Pendulum - 22 inch Cherry Wood

The Foucault pendulum, named after the French physicist Léon Foucault, is a deceptively simple device intended as an experiment to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth. While it had long been known, prior to the conception of the pendulum, that the Earth rotates, the introduction of the Foucault pendulum in 1851 was the first simple proof of the rotation in an highly visual and convincing experiment. Today, Foucault pendulums are staples of science museums and universities, where you can watch the effect of the Earth’s rotation as the pendulum creates intricate patterns, visually representing the Earth’s spin through wave-like demarcations on the sand below it.

This miniature version of the Foucault pendulum is obviously too small to actually carry out the experiment; for the pendulum to register the Earth’s rotation, it must be fairly large, generally several stories tall, capable of swinging back and forth for a full day.  However, this scale model is designed to produce patterns in the sand similar to the ones you might see with a full-size model, and the elegant cherry-wood design makes it a beautiful centerpiece for any desk, and an excellent conversation-starter; it’s also very easy to assemble, and watching the pendulum etch out its mathematical patterns can often have a calming effect on the mind.  An excellent gift for the physics enthusiast in your family.

Features:

• 22-inch scale mode of Foucault pendulum (experiment designed to demonstrate Earth’s rotation)
• Etches beautiful patterns in the sand below
• Elegant cherry-wood finish
• Easy assembly
• Excellent gift for phyics enthusiasts
• Great addition to any office desk