Galileo's Pendulum

The principle of the pendulum's swing marks a simple yet fundamental system in nature, one that ties the rhythm of time to the very existence of matter in the universe. Newton sets the stage for Galileo's discovery with a look at biorhythms in living organisms and at early calendars and clocks--contrivances of nature and culture that, however adequate in their time, did not meet the precise requirements of seventeenth-century science and navigation.

Roger G. Newton is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Physics at Indiana University

Preface

ix

Introduction

1

(3)

Biological Timekeeping: The Body's Rhythms

4

(20)

The Calendar: Different Drummers

24

(10)

Early Clocks: Home-Made Beats

34

(14)

The Pendulum Clock: The Beat of Nature

48

(17)

Successors: Ubiquitous Timekeeping

65

(18)

Isaac Newton: The Physics of the Pendulum

83

(15)

Sound and Light: Oscillations Everywhere

98

(25)

The Quantum: Oscillators Make Particles

123

(16)

Notes

139

(3)

References

142

(4)

Illustration Credits

146

(3)

Index

149

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Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials