compound pendulum

Other forms: compound pendulums

Definitions of compound pendulum

1. noun

   pendulum consisting of an actual object allowed to rotate freely around a horizontal axis
   synonyms: physical pendulum

   types:

   ballistic pendulum

   a physical pendulum consisting of a large mass suspended from a rod; when it is struck by a projectile its displacement is used to measure the projectile's velocity

   clock pendulum

   a physical pendulum used to regulate a clockwork mechanism

   gun pendulum

   a ballistic pendulum consisting of a suspended gun; the velocity of a projectile in the bore of a gun can be measured by the recoil when the gun is discharged

   type of:

   pendulum

   an apparatus consisting of an object mounted so that it swings freely under the influence of gravity