Part I: Introduction
What is a Pendulum?
Part II: Seven Tales of the Pendulum
1: Pendulums measure the earth
2: Pendulums keep Time
3: Pendulums measure fundamental forces
4: Pendulums swing high
5: Pendulums go chaotic
6: Pendulums stick together
7: Pendulums in the small
Part III: Conclusion
Odds and the End
Further Reading
Glossary of Terms
Gregory L. Baker was born and educated in Toronto receiving his
B.Sc. in mathematics and physics from the University of Toronto,
and his M.Sc and Ph.D. in physics, also from the University of
Toronto. He has taught physics and mathematics at Bryn Athyn
College since 1970, retiring from fulltime involvement in 2007. His
scholarly interests have included stochastic processes (as a
consultant), chaotic dynamics, and the relationship between
religion and science. He
has authored or co-authored more than sixty publications, many of
which have appeared in peer reviewed journals. His books include
the best selling Chaotic Dynamics: an Introduction, a
technical/cultural book on the pendulum The Pendulum: a case study
in physics, and Religion and Science: from Swedenborg to chaotic
dynamics. Baker is a member of the American Physical Society and
the American Association of Physics Teachers, and is a recipient of
the Glencairn award for scholarship at Bryn Athyn College.
`Gregory Baker spins a series of tales about how the pendulum
became central to a wide range of scientific inquiry and
technological development. This book is highly recommended both for
the professional scientist and the curious layman, each of whom
will find much of interest and will surely learn a thing or
two.'
Julien Clinton Sprott, University of Wisconsin - Madison
`A good popular science book will uncover the hidden workings of
familiar mechanisms, push this understanding through to lesser
known phenomena, and reveal links between apparently disparate
branches of science, nature, history and culture. Seven Tales of
the Pendulum achieves each of these in an easy, readable style. The
book swings through a wide arc of topics, from classical
applications of the pendulum as an experimental tool, a
time-keeper, and a
symbolic artefact, to more modern uses, including chaos theory,
synchronization and quantum physics. A good mix of precise
descriptions, clear diagrams, and interesting anecdotes make this
an enjoyable and
informative read.'
Rob Sturman, University of Leeds
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