Understanding the Pendulum: A Simple Argument Against Flat Earth
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Chapter 1: The Pendulum's Motion
Have you ever wondered about the flat Earth theory? Let’s delve into a straightforward argument that can help clarify this debate. While I’ve written a more extensive article outlining how you can verify the Earth’s shape yourself, here’s a quick and clear explanation.
When a pendulum swings, it does so in a consistent plane. However, this plane gradually rotates over time. At the North and South Poles, the pendulum completes a full circular swing every day, which corresponds to the Earth’s rotation beneath it. In contrast, at the equator, the swing remains fixed without any rotation.
The Foucault pendulum knocks over markers as the Earth rotates. Image Courtesy of Civilsdaily.
Experts have discovered that the rotation of a pendulum's swing plane depends on its latitude. If you’re curious about the calculations, the rotation is determined by multiplying 360 degrees by the sine of the latitude. A heavier pendulum with a longer suspension cord provides more precise swings, minimizing the impact of air currents and other disturbances.
In February 1851, the first Foucault pendulum was installed at the Paris Observatory. Since then, numerous large pendulums have been set up worldwide, including one at the Amundsen-Scott Station at the South Pole, where the swing plane also rotates in a complete circle each day.
Foucault Pendulum in Valencia, Spain. Courtesy Manuel M. Vicente/Wikimedia Commons.
The swinging plane of these larger, more massive pendulums aligns precisely with the mathematical predictions based on latitude. Researchers have methodically ruled out external factors such as slight breezes and electromagnetic influences. The rotation consistently matches the latitude alone with remarkable accuracy.
The Big Question
If the Earth were a flat disk, how would we explain the rotation of the pendulum? I welcome any thoughts on this matter.
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John is passionate about sharing Python code to simplify life's challenges and make learning enjoyable. He is the creator of the free online game FourSkor and the author of several books, including Python for Numworks, Python for OpenSCAD, and more.
Chapter 2: Exploring the Evidence
To enhance our understanding, let's explore some engaging videos related to the topic.
The first video, Fixation - Flat Earth (Official Music Video), delves into the concept of a flat Earth through a creative lens.
Next, we have Barenaked Ladies - Flat Earth (Official Audio), which presents another perspective on this intriguing theory.