You can click on the picture to download it in gif format.
You can click on the picture to download it in gif format.
In this demo, the instructor is holds the pendulum of death at his or her nose with the cord extending to a hook in the ceiling. The instructor should stand such that there is a horizontal distance "d" between his/her nose and the pivot point. The instructor should then release the ball and allow it to complete one oscillation. At the end of this first oscillation, the pendulum will have returned to the instructors nose and he/she should catch it.
This setup can be used to demonstrate both conservation of kinetic energy and the uniform acceleration of gravity.
Be careful not to lean forward while the ball is oscillating. There is a very good reason why this is called the pendulum of death.