There are all sorts of resonances around us, in the world, in our culture, and in our technology. A tidal resonance causes the 55 foot tides in the Bay of Fundy. Mechanical and acoustical resonances and their control are at the center of practically every musical instrument that ever existed. Even our voices and speech are based on controlling the resonances in our throat and mouth. Technology is also a heavy user of resonance. All clocks, radios, televisions, and gps navigating systems use electronic resonators at their very core. Doctors use magnetic resonance imaging or MRI to sense the resonances in atomic nuclei to map the insides of their patients. In spite of the great diversity of resonators, they all share many common properties. In this blog, we will delve into their various aspects. It is hoped that this will serve both the students and professionals who would like to understand more about resonators. I hope all will enjoy the animations.

For a list of all topics discussed, scroll down to the very bottom of the blog, or click here.

Origins of Newton's laws of motion

Non-mathematical introduction to relativity

Three types of waves: traveling waves, standing waves and rotating waves new

History of mechanical clocks with animations
Understanding a mechanical clock with animations
includes pendulum, balance wheel, and quartz clocks

Water waves, Fourier analysis



Friday, March 18, 2011

History of the mechanical clock with animations

History of Mechanical Clocks with Animations

A history of mechanical clocks (with animations) in the period 1200 to 1900. Included are the clocks of old clock towers, Galileo's and Huygen's pendulum clocks, and balance wheel clocks and watches. The quest for navigational clocks and John Harrison's story also play into this history. The workings of many of these clocks are explained and animated in Abobe Flash. The viewers will need Flash installed on their computers to view these (most computers have this already). Mouse over the images below to see sample animations (these are reduced in size). Click here to read the complete history or click on the desired chapter in the table of contents below. This history is free. ... P. Ceperley

time line of clocks