Where Is Foucault’s Pendulum in Paris?

By Alice Nichols

Have you ever heard of Foucault’s Pendulum? It’s a fascinating scientific experiment that demonstrates the rotation of the Earth. And if you’re in Paris, you can see it at the Panthéon.

The History of Foucault’s Pendulum

Foucault’s Pendulum was named after French physicist Léon Foucault, who first conducted the experiment in 1851. The pendulum consists of a long wire with a heavy weight attached to the end and suspended from a pivot point. When set in motion, the pendulum swings back and forth, but due to the rotation of the Earth, its plane of oscillation appears to rotate clockwise in Paris.

The Experiment at the Panthéon

The Panthéon is a neoclassical building located in Paris’ Latin Quarter. Originally built as a church dedicated to St. Genevieve, it now serves as a mausoleum for famous French figures such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Victor Hugo.

In 1851, Foucault chose the Panthéon as the site for his famous experiment. He hung a 67-meter-long pendulum from its dome and set it in motion. Over time, observers could see that the plane of oscillation had rotated by about 11 degrees per hour due to Earth’s rotation.

Today, visitors can still see Foucault’s Pendulum swinging inside the Panthéon. The wire is attached to an electromagnet that keeps it moving continuously so that visitors can witness its rotation throughout the day.

Other Places to See Foucault’s Pendulum

The Panthéon is not the only place where you can see Foucault’s Pendulum in action. Many science museums around the world have replicas of this iconic experiment on display.

  • The Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris has a Foucault pendulum that is free to view.
  • The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh also has a Foucault pendulum on display.
  • The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles has a large pendulum that swings over a map of the world.

In Conclusion

Foucault’s Pendulum is an amazing scientific experiment that demonstrates the rotation of the Earth. If you’re ever in Paris, be sure to visit the Panthéon and see it for yourself. And if you can’t make it to Paris, there are many other places around the world where you can witness this fascinating exhibit.

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