Conical Pendulum
Equipment: A tennis ball on a string.
What it does: The ball is swung along a horizontal circular path so the string sweeps out a cone.
Concepts Demonstrated: Circular motion.
Classroom assembly:
- Hold onto the end of the string.
- Swing the ball along a horizontal circular path.
Cautions: None.
Setup Time: Short.
Difficulty: Straightforward.
Visibility: High. This demonstration is appropriate for large lecture halls.
Related demonstrations:
References: PIRA 1D50.25
Original Construction: A string was threaded through a tennis ball.
Disclaimer: All demonstrations are posted for the convenience and benefit of faculty and staff in the Department of Physics at Simon Fraser University and are not intended for outside use. The author(s) assume no responsibility or liability for the use of information contained on this site. Warnings and precautionary measures listed on this site assume normal operation of equipment and are not inclusive. Demonstrations may pose a significant hazard and can, in some instances, result in death; reasonable safety precautions must be taken. Demonstrations should be performed by qualified individuals only.
Prepared by Jeff Rudd, 1999
Revised by Laura Schmidt, 2007