Foucault Pendulum Concepts and Challenges

Foucault Pendulum Concepts and Challenges

Assessment

Interactive Video

Physics, Philosophy, Science

9th - 12th Grade

Hard

Created by

Patricia Brown

FREE Resource

The video explains the Foucault pendulum, a device with a unique pivot allowing it to swing in any direction. At the North Pole, its plane remains fixed while the Earth rotates beneath it. As you move to lower latitudes, the rotation time of the pendulum's plane increases, with no rotation at the equator. The pendulum's motion is also influenced by Earth's revolution around the sun. The Foucault pendulum can measure rotations, including Earth's rotation and revolution. The video also discusses the philosophical question of what the pendulum's rotation is relative to, referencing Ernst Mach's conjecture about measuring rotation relative to the universe.

Read more

10 questions

Show all answers

1.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the primary feature of a Foucault Pendulum that distinguishes it from a regular pendulum?

It is used in grandfather clocks.

It swings in a fixed plane.

It can swing in any direction around the vertical.

It requires a specific plane to swing.

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

At which location does the plane of a Foucault Pendulum not rotate at all?

Latitude of Hanover

Equator

North Pole

South Pole

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

How long does it take for the plane of a Foucault Pendulum to rotate 90 degrees at the latitude of Hanover?

35 hours

9 hours

12 hours

24 hours

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What additional factor, besides Earth's rotation, affects the plane of a Foucault Pendulum?

The tilt of the Earth's axis

The Earth's magnetic field

The revolution of the Earth around the sun

The moon's gravitational pull

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What can a suitably placed Foucault Pendulum detect?

The gravitational pull of the moon

The Earth's magnetic field

The speed of light

The rotation of the Earth

6.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the Foucault Pendulum often referred to as, due to its ability to measure rotations?

A timekeeper

A gravity detector

A magnetic field sensor

A rotation meter

7.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

According to Ernst Mach, what does the Foucault Pendulum measure rotation relative to?

The universe as a whole

The solar system

The Earth's core

The sun

Create a free account and access millions of resources

Create resources
Host any resource
Get auto-graded reports
or continue with
Microsoft
Apple
Others
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy
Already have an account?