pêndulo

A péndulo is a weight suspended from a fixed point so that it can swing freely back and forth under the influence of gravity. The word "péndulo" itself is Spanish for pendulum. The motion of a pendulum is a classic example of oscillatory motion, and its period, the time it takes for one complete swing, is primarily determined by its length and the acceleration due to gravity. The mass of the bob and the amplitude of the swing have a lesser effect on the period, especially for small amplitudes.

Historically, pendulums have been crucial in timekeeping. The pendulum clock, invented by Christiaan Huygens in the 17th century, greatly improved the accuracy of clocks. The rhythmic swing of the pendulum provided a stable and consistent beat for measuring time. Pendulums are also used in scientific instruments, such as seismometers to detect ground motion and in gravity meters to measure variations in the Earth's gravitational field. The concept of the pendulum also appears in physics education to demonstrate principles of mechanics, energy conservation, and simple harmonic motion. While the ideal pendulum is a theoretical construct, real-world pendulums are subject to forces like air resistance and friction, which cause their oscillations to eventually damp out.