In the atrium of the Tuscarora apartment building there is a beautiful, Foucault pendulum. At the terrace level you see a platform with a ceramic design that shows the Dove of Peace and the North symbol. The pendulum ball (bob) swings in what appears to be different directions. Actually the pendulum swings back and forth in the same direction but the earth is revolving underneath the pendulum. so the “bob” changes its relation to the dove and N-symbol. A pendulum is a suspended weight that swings back and forth in a regular periodic motion. The length of the pendulum (the cable) determines its frequency, while the weight of the bob (the ball) does not affect the frequency.
The pendulum is interesting to watch but the story about how it was finally gotten to work efficiently is fascinating. A group of engineers & clock mechanics shared the idea with George Kibler, President of Messiah Village about 1990, but after 7 years it still didn’t work correctly. Recently I asked a few questions of guys who worked on the problems. Now I must admit that I am not very technical so as I share some information I may not be technically correct.
At the bottom of the ball there is a photo cell that is energized by the electromagnet through the hole you see at the center of the ceramic platform. Harold Pyke and Mervin Brubaker from Messiah Village consulted with engineering departments at Messiah College and Penn State-Middletown to work on the problems. Brubaker suggested a circular disk on the bottom of the ball which attracts electromagnet power better. The 55 foot cable which must be multi-directional was replaced with woven cable designed for aircraft.
After an additional two years there was still a problem and Brubaker came and sat overnight on a couch and watched for about two weeks. One night he saw a custodian steam cleaning the carpet and using a cyclone blower. The draft from the blower and also wind when the outside door was open would affect the pendulum. So a glass fence was put around the platform as a wind breaker and also to discourage children from climbing on the platform and touching the ball.
On the post near the elevator at the Terrace level is a sign that tells of funding by the John Crain Kunkel Foundation. Sometimes a science teacher will get permission to bring students to Tuscarora atrium to observe the pendulum. If you want to know more you can learn many interesting things by going online to search swinging pendulum. Or just come visit the pendulum at Messiah Village.
