NationStates Jolt Archive

I have an antique kitchen clock that was given to my grandparents when they were married over a century ago. The clock is running but is running slow. Last night I discovered the weight on the pendulum can be adjusted up and down.

My question is, to get it run faster do I adjust the pendulum weight up or down? I was never very good at physics.

The clock looks very much like this one and still has the original glass. Also, does anyone have any idea how much it might be worth? I will not sell it but am just curious.

http://www.1-800-4clocks.com/miva/graphics/full/6518356571.jpg

Up, surely?

Upwards.

MOAR WEIGHT!

I think...

MOAR WEIGHT!

I think...

Negative, a simple pendulum's period only depends on its length (for practical purposes, anyway).

Negative, a simple pendulum's period only depends on its length (for practical purposes, anyway).

So to increase the period (time) you shorten the length?

Negative, a simple pendulum's period only depends on its length (for practical purposes, anyway).

And for impractical purposes?

down will increase swing so go up (I suggest considering the enormousness of your actions before you go about altering time first though)

also who the hell gives crappy presents like clocks?

Upward. I'd do it a little at a time until it's at the right speed.

So to increase the period (time) you shorten the length?

The opposite, but in your case you want to decrease the period (the time of a single cycle) to make the clock run faster, so you should shorten the length.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_harmonic_motion for more details (scroll down to 'mass on a pendulum').

And for impractical purposes?

Well, the equation for a pendulum's period depends on using small angle approximation (i.e., the principle that for small angles of theta, sin(theta) = theta). For a pendulum that swings in a larger arc, the equation would be less accurate, I believe.

down will increase swing so go up (I suggest considering the enormousness of your actions before you go about altering time first though)

also who the hell gives crappy presents like clocks?

True that. You don't want to accidentally send yourself back in time and inadvertently kill your grandfather clock.

Also, the horse in your avatar has very long legs.

*runs*

down will increase swing so go up (I suggest considering the enormousness of your actions before you go about altering time first though)

also who the hell gives crappy presents like clocks?

It is not a present, it is a family heirloom. When I was a kid we lived in my grandfather's house until I was 11 years old. My mom inherited the clock after both my grandfather and aunt died. I told my mom I wanted the clock some day and she gave it to me several years ago. I had it repaired and was using it until about a year or so ago when I sopped winding it. Yesterday I wound it and had trouble getting it started. It would go for about 5 or 10 minutes and stop. I kept restarting it and at one point discovered the weight could be raised or lowered so I lowered it bit and restarted the clock two or three times before it started running without stopping. I must have wound it to tightly but it is running fine now but a bit slow.

When the wife and I pass on I want the clock to go to my oldest surviving son.

Right, now you've flushed out the closet physicists among us..... what's the next step in your dastardly master plan?

I have an antique kitchen clock that was given to my grandparents when they were married over a century ago. The clock is running but is running slow. Last night I discovered the weight on the pendulum can be adjusted up and down.

My question is, to get it run faster do I adjust the pendulum weight up or down? I was never very good at physics.

The clock looks very much like this one and still has the original glass. Also, does anyone have any idea how much it might be worth? I will not sell it but am just curious.

http://www.1-800-4clocks.com/miva/graphics/full/6518356571.jpg
Adjust the weight on the pendulum up. That shortens the period by reducing the moment of inertia. If you think about an ice skater with arms and leg out, they spin slowly, as they pull in their arms and legs, the spinning becomes faster.

Check and make sure the clock is sitting level, too.

Adjusting the length of the pendulum is an alternative method, but I would expect to see only one on any given clock.

Right, now you've flushed out the closet physicists among us..... what's the next step in your dastardly master plan?

Finding someone who will pay for our new house in Louisiana. :eek:

I have an antique kitchen clock that was given to my grandparents when they were married over a century ago. The clock is running but is running slow. Last night I discovered the weight on the pendulum can be adjusted up and down.

My question is, to get it run faster do I adjust the pendulum weight up or down? I was never very good at physics.

The clock looks very much like this one and still has the original glass. Also, does anyone have any idea how much it might be worth? I will not sell it but am just curious.

http://www.1-800-4clocks.com/miva/graphics/full/6518356571.jpg
Perhaps take it to a clock/watchmaker? Surely anyone qualified to repair a grandfather clock could adjust your pendulum clock?

If you still want to do it, you might read these:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2049266_adjust-clock-pendulum.html
http://www.antique-world.com/care.htm
http://www.kensingtonclock.com/kcsadjust.htm

I have an antique kitchen clock that was given to my grandparents when they were married over a century ago. The clock is running but is running slow. Last night I discovered the weight on the pendulum can be adjusted up and down.

My question is, to get it run faster do I adjust the pendulum weight up or down? I was never very good at physics.

The clock looks very much like this one and still has the original glass. Also, does anyone have any idea how much it might be worth? I will not sell it but am just curious.

http://www.1-800-4clocks.com/miva/graphics/full/6518356571.jpg
Up = faster

Right, now you've flushed out the closet physicists among us..... what's the next step in your dastardly master plan?

Destroy them all. Physicists are like universal sheriffs, they make sure people obey the laws of nature. And when the laws of nature can no longer be enforced...that's when he'll strike.

down will increase swing so go up (I suggest considering the enormousness of your actions before you go about altering time first though)

also who the hell gives crappy presents like clocks?

It was a wedding present

Destroy them all. Physicists are like universal sheriffs, they make sure people obey the laws of nature. And when the laws of nature can no longer be enforced...that's when he'll strike.
Ah, so you want to replace us with economists?