Each office worker usually tries to arrange his workplace as comfortably as possible, as he spends most of his time in the service. Very often in the decor of the table you can see such an element as an eternal pendulum. Although many consider it a pointless trinket, the movable accessory has a certain practical purpose.
Appearance and features
The pendulum is a perpetual motion machine that works by converting potential energy into mechanical energy. The device is a mechanism that consists of moving elements.
The most popular type of pendulum is a simple mechanism called Newton's Cradle. According to his principle, all types of pendulums are constructed:
- The fixture consists of a rectangular base-stand. This element can be made of wood, metal or glass - it all depends on the design decision.
- Fasteners are installed on the base, which resemble small horizontal bars, located parallel to the long sides of the rectangle.
- A metal ball is tied to each such “horizontal bar”. The distance between all spheres is the same.
Activependulums are used, which consist of gradually increasing hemispheres, which are fixed on a spoke. It is also common to find frames attached with two fasteners to the base.
When one of the constituent elements of the structure is launched, the whole mechanism comes into operation. The parts of the pendulum make successive movements that continue for a long time.
The history of such a souvenir
The perpetual pendulum became a fashion accessory in 1967. The inventor of this mechanism was the English actor Simon Prebble. He was a real fan of physics, the actor wanted to popularize complex science. The basis for creating a decorative element was the pendulum, which is used in mechanical watches to start the entire mechanism.
The mechanism works according to the law of conservation of momentum. The more momentum the body acquires, the longer the pendulum works. To strengthen it and make the movements of all constituent parts smooth and uniform, an additional magnetic field was added to the mechanism.
Thanks to the invention of such a "toy" and its wide distribution, people began to think about the principle of operation of the device. In addition to achieving the main goal, the popularization of physics as a science, Simon received a good profit from sales.
What functions can a pendulum perform
Desktop perpetual pendulums perform several important functions.
- Calms, set to work and helps to concentrate.
- Aesthetic pleasure thatmakes a boring office interior more colorful and varied.
- In case of emergency, the device can play the role of a stopwatch or clock to mark or count the time.
- Decorative addition to any design of a table, office, room.
Some scientists claim that the perpetual pendulum can stabilize blood and intracranial pressure through a calming effect.
Who can present such a gift
Eternal pendulum in many cases can be an actual gift. Such "toys" have a special unique charm. To whom can the pendulum be presented?
- A colleague or boss if his position involves working at a desk.
- Friend or girlfriend, as the mechanism can decorate not only the workplace, but also the home interior.
- You can give a pendulum to a friend whom you know not so long ago and well, as the thing is universal and neutral.
The pendulum is a successful present in all respects, as it has a presentable appearance and does not carry a special semantic load.
