A pendulum clock is a clock that uses a pendulum, a swinging weight, as its timekeeping element. The advantage of a pendulum for timekeeping is that it is a harmonic oscillator: It swings back and forth in a precise time interval dependent on its length, and resists swinging at other rates.

What are the parts of a grandfather clock called?

The pendulum and weights are crucial to the operation of any mechanical clocks movement. The pendulum regulates and adjusts the time-keeping. A mechanical clock may contain three weights to provide power to the hour strike, time and chime.

How do you swing the pendulum on a grandfather clock?

Place clock on table with back facing you. Open the back door, hang the pendulum on the hook, and close the door. Carefully place the clock where it is to be used, on a stable, level surface. Lift one side of the clock gently two inches, then put it down to start the pendulum swinging.

Why do grandfather clocks have weights?

At the heart of every Grandfather Clock is the movement. The movement controls the hour strike, time keeping, and chime. The three weights provide power to the hour strike (left weight), time (center weight), and chime melody (right weight). Without these weights, the Grandfather Clock would not operate.

What is the period of a grandfather clock?

A grandfather clock usually has a two-second period, meaning it takes two seconds for the pendulum to go back and forth once. (Smaller clocks have a one-second or half-second period.)

Do pendulums go faster with more weight?

Thats why these pendulums behave the way they do. When you add a weight to the bottom of the pendulum on the right, you make it heavier. Shorter pendulums swing faster than longer ones do, so the pendulum on the left swings faster than the pendulum on the right.

Do heavier pendulums swing slower?

Length. The swing rate, or frequency, of the pendulum is determined by its length. The longer the pendulum, whether it is a string, metal rod or wire, the slower the pendulum swings. Conversely the shorter the pendulum the faster the swing rate.