Part of invariable pendulum no. 10 with agate plane no. 10
Part of invariable pendulum no. 10 with agate plane no. 10, 1827, by Thomas Jones.
- Object Number:
- 1914-587 Pt1
- type:
- part
Kater's invariable pendulum, 1827
Invariable pendulum no. 10 with agate plane no. 10, 1827, by Thomas Jones. In box with telescope, thermometers and accessories
The pendulum is shown packed into a wooden box, with its accessories, for safe transportation. In use, it swings from a knife-edged pivot at one end, with a very heavy weight at the other. The rate at which a pendulum swings varies with its length and the force of gravity. The rate of swing of a pendulum of fixed ("invariable") length can be used to determine the force of gravity at different places around the globe, if it swings under similar conditions each time. This usually requires vacuum apparatus. Gravity decreases with the distance from the centre of the Earth, so the pendulum can be used to determine the shape of the planet.
Details
Parts
Kater's Invariable Pendulum by Thomas Jones, 1827
Kater invariable pendulum no. 10, with agate plane by Thomas Jones, Charing Cross, London, 1827. In box with telescope and two mercury thermometers and accessories.
- Measurements:
-
overall (case closed): 110 mm x 1645 mm x 235 mm, , 28kg
- Materials:
- brass (copper, zinc alloy) , mahogany (wood) , agate , iron , steel (metal) , plastic (unidentified) , glass and mercury
- Object Number:
- 1914-587 Pt2
- type:
- invariable pendulum and gravity measurer
