Philosophy
Pendulums have been around for a very long time, at least since the 1st century, when the Chinese polymath Zhang Heng used one to build what is widely considered to be the very first seismometer in history.
The rigorous and scientific study of the properties of pendulums, however, didn't start until the 17th century, when Galileo took up the question. Undeniably, Galileo did some great and unprecedented work, but one can't help but wonder how much easier and productive his time could have been if he had thought up of this beautiful little experiment (without just becoming mesmerized by the optical illusion created by it):
And here is another beautiful version of the same basic idea.
And if you're curious about how seismometers, including Zhang Hen's, work, listen to this:
And if you want more on pendulums, I'll post an awesome entry on Foucault's pendulum soon. Stay tuned.
.
- Slinky Physics
In the past, we've learned a few awesome things about pendulum waves and about the physics and philosophical questions raised by Foucault's pendulum, but there are plenty of other simple objects and experiments that can teach us fascinating and...
- Earth Rotating Time Lapse
Apropos of Foucault's pendulum and the illusion it produces (namely, that it's the pendulum that rotates, when in fact it's the Earth rotating below it), I came across a video that has just emerged on the interwebs, and which helps with this...
- Oldest Manufacturing Firm In History...hangzhou Zhang Xiaoquan Company--the Scissor-maker?
"The scissor-maker that has cut through Chinese history" by John Sudworth April 21st, 2013 BBC NEWS All businesses face their ups and downs along the way to success. But the Hangzhou Zhang Xiaoquan Company can claim a history longer and more tumultuous...
- Vincenzo Viviani...secretary To Galileo And The Viviani Theorem
Vincenzo Viviani April 5th, 1622 to September 22nd, 1703 Can't let the day fade without the mention of Vincenzo Viviani born on this date in 1622. Bill Ashworth in the Linda Hall Library Newsletter wrote... When just a lad of 16, Viviani so impressed...
- Double Star Observations--galileo Galilei
Galileo Galilei Demonstrates His Astronomical Theories to a Monk This is somewhat unusual...that earlier observations of double stars negated the conclusions written in Galileo Galilei's Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems [1632]...such...
Philosophy
Pendulum Waves
Pendulums have been around for a very long time, at least since the 1st century, when the Chinese polymath Zhang Heng used one to build what is widely considered to be the very first seismometer in history.The rigorous and scientific study of the properties of pendulums, however, didn't start until the 17th century, when Galileo took up the question. Undeniably, Galileo did some great and unprecedented work, but one can't help but wonder how much easier and productive his time could have been if he had thought up of this beautiful little experiment (without just becoming mesmerized by the optical illusion created by it):
And here is another beautiful version of the same basic idea.
And if you're curious about how seismometers, including Zhang Hen's, work, listen to this:
And if you want more on pendulums, I'll post an awesome entry on Foucault's pendulum soon. Stay tuned.
.
- Slinky Physics
In the past, we've learned a few awesome things about pendulum waves and about the physics and philosophical questions raised by Foucault's pendulum, but there are plenty of other simple objects and experiments that can teach us fascinating and...
- Earth Rotating Time Lapse
Apropos of Foucault's pendulum and the illusion it produces (namely, that it's the pendulum that rotates, when in fact it's the Earth rotating below it), I came across a video that has just emerged on the interwebs, and which helps with this...
- Oldest Manufacturing Firm In History...hangzhou Zhang Xiaoquan Company--the Scissor-maker?
"The scissor-maker that has cut through Chinese history" by John Sudworth April 21st, 2013 BBC NEWS All businesses face their ups and downs along the way to success. But the Hangzhou Zhang Xiaoquan Company can claim a history longer and more tumultuous...
- Vincenzo Viviani...secretary To Galileo And The Viviani Theorem
Vincenzo Viviani April 5th, 1622 to September 22nd, 1703 Can't let the day fade without the mention of Vincenzo Viviani born on this date in 1622. Bill Ashworth in the Linda Hall Library Newsletter wrote... When just a lad of 16, Viviani so impressed...
- Double Star Observations--galileo Galilei
Galileo Galilei Demonstrates His Astronomical Theories to a Monk This is somewhat unusual...that earlier observations of double stars negated the conclusions written in Galileo Galilei's Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems [1632]...such...