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You should check with your tournament director to see if there will desk table where the event takes place

I've been wondering, what's the advantage of a pendulum clock as opposed to other ones? It's easier to build, but is it also more precise or something? I know that many teams that have pendulum clocks have done very well with them, but I can't help but think that there's some kind of trick to it.

Hola wrote:
With a pendulum, how do you measure fractions of a swing?
i.e. if a quarter of a swing has gone by, where will the the bob be? What about a fifth of the swing? three fifths? How do I figure this out? What math is involved? I'm really having trouble with this right now....
I'm bad with last minute things, and my regional competition is tomorrow. I'm leaving for it... today, so the sooner anyone could hint me towards anything, even if it's just a guess or a not-so-helpful thought, please say it! Thank you thank you to anyone who takes the time to respond....

a pendulum is shm (simple harmonic motion) which is a sinusoidal curve, so you would calculate the displacement with respect to equilibrium, and use the equation T = 2(pi)sqrt(l/g) to get a graph of the displacement, and pair it with a specific time. You can't just use a liear relationship up and down, because it will be slightly off because shm is a curve. Hope this helped.

M6K

Okay, so I live in Cheyenne, Wyoming and I just got assigned to this event for state (in like 2 weeks!!! and I've ever participated in science olympiad). I was thinking about using a pendulum with a simple escapement. It seems like the most accurate idea. Also, a stiff rod instead of, say, string for the pendulum would be better, so that it doesn't move around. How would I attach the rod? I told you I live in Wyoming because the recomended book, --Jespersen, Fitz-Randolph, Robb. "From Sundials to Atomic Clocks: Understanding Time and Frequency" 1999-- is not avalible at any library in Wyo. So is there a website or alternate book that we can study from?

If you only have two weeks, forget the escapement. With a heavy bob you won't need it.

Hey, if you are interested in trading tests, shoot me a message!

Wait should I use to reduce the friction of the pendulum? What were your pendulum's made of? What did you guys do for a pivot point?
If anyone has a practice test they want to give to me, I'll be willing to take it.

i got first in state in this event and my team got first as well. will i see anyone else in Augusta?