Pendulums perform oscillations. Gravity produces the restoring moment. We distinguish between mathematical and physical pendulums. A mathematical pendulum describes an idealised thread pendulum. In physical pendulums, the shape and size of the pendulum body is taken into account. Both are theoretical models for the description of a real pendulum.
The TM 161 unit is used to study pendulum swings. A thread pendulum (mathematical pendulum) and a rod pendulum (as a physical pendulum) are compared to each other. The unit contains a metal rod with a movable auxiliary mass as the rod pendulum. The suspension point can be adjusted on the knife-edge bearing of the pendulum. The length of the thread pendulum can be easily changed using a clamping device.
The experimental unit is designed to be fixed to a wall.
![Rod pendulum and thread pendulum_1919743](https://labfriendcoredataprod.blob.core.windows.net/johnmorriscore-data-prod/images/thumbs/1716945_rod-pendulum-and-thread-pendulum_1919743_550.jpeg)