Analyze circumnavigating rod vibrations with this tool. Foucault Rod model displays the vibration of a circumnavigating rod. One end of the rod is firmly secured to a support. The free end of the rod has a weight attached, like the bob of a pendulum. The support of the rod is circumnavigating a central axis. The plane of swing of the Foucault rod is affected by the rotation in the same way as the Foucault pendulum is.

This simulation models the following setup: A rod with a weight at the end; the flexible rod is vibrating. The base of the rod is firmly secured to a support, the weight at the other end of the rod is like the bob of a pendulum. The support of the rod is rotating, so that the rod is circumnavigating a central axis. When the bob is released it starts to vibrate from co-rotating motion.

The simulation shows simultaneously the motion with respect to the inertial coordinate system, and the motion as seen from a co-rotating point of view. For the co-rotating view there is a close-up view and an overview.

This simulation models the tabletop device that is on display in the Physics and Arts exhibition at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York.
1. Slide show displaying the device
2. Flash video showing an overall view
3. Flash video showing a close-up view

In addition, in this simulation the angle of the rod and the distance of the pendulum bob to the central axis of rotation can be varied independently.

Requirements:
* Java

The license of this software is Freeware, you can free download and free use this graphing software.