Scientific Argument
Foucault’s Pendulum is one of the key aspects that has been discussed and debated about in the course of time since its establishment. The main argument made by Foucault’s pendulum is to show proof that the earth actually rotates. The experiment introduced a pendulum that is already set in motion in a careful manner to evade the instigation of any slanting motion by tying it with a strand. Strangely, the pendulum then seems to alter its direction of swing in the course of time devoid of any external output or influence. This is to show that it is in actual fact that the Earth is the one rotating, whilst the pendulum goes on to swing in the similar plan in relation to the rest of the universe (Sparks, 2013). For instance, when an experiment is conducted, every time the pendulum goes through a swing for a period of six hours, which is equivalent to 25 percent of an entire day, the line traced would make a 90 degrees intersection (Mann, 2014).
A major argument can be made in support of this particular assertion made by Foucault. It is imperative to note that the persons that try to disprove this assertion, make the argument that the earth is flat. However, the main argument that can show Foucault is in fact right lies in that the pendulum moves to a predictable rate that is in relation or in line with the latitude of the experiment being conducted. This behavior is distinctive and is not possible on any other aspect aside from an Earth that is almost spherical. The inference of this is that at either poles of the earth, that is the North Pole or the South Pole, the plane of oscillation of the pendulum being used in the experiment will continue to be fixed and predetermined in relation to the distant masses of the universe as the Earth revolves below it. In addition, at any point along the equator, the pendulum continues to be predetermined and fixed in relation to the Earth and in this place no sort of precession takes place. It is important to note that, in any other point of latitude, the rate of precession of the pendulum within the experiment would be a mixture of the two. This is to mean that it is in relation to the Earth but its rate of precession is perceptibly slower compared to the North Pole and the South Pole (Mann, 2014). For instance, in accordance to Mann (2014), bearing in mind the pendulum experiment is being conducted at the equator, and it is swung in a direction that moves from east to west; it can be noted that the Earth continues to rotate every instance that the weight goes through an arc. However, at the equator, it ends up moving in the precisely similar direction that the pendulum is moving. The inference of this is that there is no relative motion. In a similar manner, the pendulum can be swung in a direction moving from north to south. Owing to the fact that it is still at the equator, it will still not have any kind of influence on the plane it is moving in. This is for the reason that the earth is not able to shift underneath as it is always headed in the similar direction.
Therefore, this argument is able to disprove any arguments made by individuals asserting that the earth is flat. The point discussed above shows without a doubt that the earth is rotating and therefore supports the fundamental and notable argument that was made through Foucault’s Pendulum.
References
Mann, D. (2014). What’s Up With That: How a Swinging Pendulum Proves the Earth Rotates. WIRED. Retrieved from: https://www.wired.com/2014/05/wuwt-foucaults-pendulum/
Sparks, M. (2013). What is Foucault's Pendulum? The Telegraph. Retrieved from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/google-doodle/10317223/What-is-Foucaults-Pendulum.html
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