The Pendulum: A Case Study in Physics

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Gregory L. Baker (Bryn Athyn College of the New Church, Pennsylvania, USA.) James A. Blackburn (Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, Canada.)

The Pendulum

A Case Study in Physics

Gregory L. Baker (Bryn Athyn College of the New Church, Pennsylvania, USA.), James A. Blackburn (Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, Canada.)

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English

Oxford University Press
01 August 2005

History of science; Classical mechanics; Applied physics; Engineering: general; Clocks, chronometers & watches (horology)

The pendulum: a case study in physics is a unique book in several ways. Firstly, it is a comprehensive quantitative study of one physical system, the pendulum, from the viewpoint of elementary and more advanced classical physics, modern chaotic dynamics, and quantum mechanics. In addition, coupled pendulums and pendulum analogs of superconducting devices are also discussed. Secondly, this book treats the physics of the pendulum within a historical and cultural context, showing, for example, that the pendulum has been intimately connected with studies of the earth's density, the earth's motion, and timekeeping. While primarily a physics book, the work provides significant added interest through the use of relevant cultural and historical vignettes. This approach offers an alternative to the usual modern physics courses. The text is amply illustrated and augmented by exercises at the end of each chapter.

By: Gregory L. Baker (Bryn Athyn College of the New Church Pennsylvania USA.), James A. Blackburn (Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, Canada.)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 255mm, Width: 195mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 822g
ISBN: 9780198567547
ISBN 10: 0198567545
Pages: 300
Publication Date: 01 August 2005
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

1: Introduction 2: Pendulums somewhat simple 3: Pendulums less simple 4: The Foucault pendulum 5: The torsion pendulum 6: The chaotic pendulum 7: Coupled pendulums 8: The quantum pendulum 9: Superconductivity and the pendulum 10: The pendulum clock A: Pendulum Q B: The inverted pendulum C: The double pendulum D: The cradle pendulum E: The long now clock F: The Blackburn pendulum

Gregory L. Baker was born and educated in Toronto receiving his B.Sc. in mathematics and physics from the University of Toronto, and his M.Sc and Ph.D. in physics, also from the University of Toronto. He has taught physics and mathematics at Bryn Athyn College since 1970, retiring from fulltime involvement in 2007. His scholarly interests have included stochastic processes (as a consultant), chaotic dynamics, and the relationship between religion and science. He has authored or co-authored more than sixty publications, many of which have appeared in peer reviewed journals. His books include the best selling Chaotic Dynamics: an Introduction, a technical/cultural book on the pendulum The Pendulum: a case study in physics, and Religion and Science: from Swedenborg to chaotic dynamics. Baker is a member of the American Physical Society and the American Association of Physics Teachers, and is a recipient of the Glencairn award for scholarship at Bryn Athyn College. James A. Blackburn is Professor of Physics at Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, Canada.

Reviews for The Pendulum: A Case Study in Physics

Overall, The Pendulm presents insights and unusual approaches that will broaden the experience of undergraduate physics students. Kenneth S. Krane, Physics Today In this well-illustrated treatment of the study of pendulum, Baker (Bryn Athyn College of the New Church) and Blackburn (Wilfrid Laurier U.) provide fascinating information about the history of the pendulum and what scientists thought it did, the revolution wrought by Foucault, the special cases of the torsion pendulum, the chaotic pendulum, the quantum pendulum, and coupled pendulums, the effects of superconductivity, and the most familiar to most of us, the pendulum clock. They include information on special interests in the appendices, such as the inverted pedulum and the longnow clock. SciTech Book News, December 2005.