2014/08/13 by Praveen S. Bharadhwaj, Bharadhwaj, Praveen S.
Physics and Astronomy · #Classical Physics (physics.class-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Popular Physics (physics.pop-ph) #physics.class-ph #physics.pop-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1408.3047
arxiv created 2014/08/16 · arxiv updated 2014/08/19
This article aims to answer the question, "What is the simplest system that embodies the essence of Foucault's pendulum?" We study a very elementary idealized system that exhibits a precession behavior analogous to the classic pendulum. The system consists of a particle without inertial mass, constrained to an inclined plane that rotates about a vertical axis. Insights gained from this analysis are used to understand the rate of precession in a straightforward way.