Analysis  

on  the  Foucault  pendulum  by  De  Alembert  Principle  and  

Numerical  Simulation  
Zhiwu Zheng

Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Jiangsu, China 210046

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we handle the problem of the motion of the Foucault pendulum. We explore a
new method induced from the De Alembert Principle giving the motional equations without
small-amplitude oscillation approximation. The result of the problem is illustrated by numerical
analysis showing the non-linear features and then with a comparison with a common method,
showing the merit of this new original method. The result also shows that the argument changes
in near-harmonic mode and the swing plane changes in pulsing way.

KEY WORDS: Foucault pendulum, De Alembert Principle, Numerical analysis

I.   INTRODUCTION

The Foucault pendulum usually consists of a large weight suspended on

[1-5]
a cable attached to a point two or more floors above the weight. As the
pendulum swings back and forth its plane of oscillation rotates clockwise in
the northern hemisphere, convincing the rotation of the Earth.

The motion of the Foucault pendulum is the coupling of two periodic

motion, the rotation of the Earth and the oscillation of the pendulum leading
to a precession [2-6]. Depending on the relevant parameters, the motion differs
in varied conditions, showing periodic or non-periodic motion as a
consequence. With gravity, tension and Corioli force applied on the cable, the
motional equation, due to Newton’s Law, is difficult in solution.
Up to now, a lot of researches were focused on the Foucault pendulum,
and to be special, in some references [7-10], these authors gave assumption that
the weight could be seen as moving in the horizontal plane and not moving in
the vertical direction due to its low-amplitude oscillation and propose the
motional equations of the pendulum which can get analytical answer to them.
The equations can be expressed as:
𝑔
𝛼 − 𝛼  𝛽 % − 2𝑤  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑  𝛼𝛽 +  𝛼 = 0
𝑙
(0.1)

𝛼  𝛽 + 2  𝛼𝛽 + 2𝑤  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑  𝛼 = 0
(0.2)
The angles,  α, β, (afterwards shown in the figure 2) are the intersection
angles between z axis and the cable, x axis and the projection on x-y plane
respectively. And 𝜑 is the latitude locating the pendulum, 𝑤 is the angular
velocity of the earth rotation.

The equation (0.2) can be expressed as follow by integration

𝛼 %  𝛽 + 2𝑤  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑  𝛼 % = Constant
(0.3)
These equations, (0.1) and (0.3), with their low-amplitude oscillation
approximation, can be solved analytically in special initial condition.
However, we can get that the assumption in those references stating that
the weight moves in a 2-dimensional way is unconvincing in terms of not only
high-amplitude oscillation but also the long-time process through the research
described afterwards, which is to analyze the system firstly without the small-
angle approximation. And we have the necessity to reanalyze this problem and
give the supplement of these conditions.
In this paper, what is mainly concentrated on is how the Foucault
pendulum moves in varied relevant conditions. The model giving some
assumptions of the pendulum itself and the property of the earth will be first
built up and then with the theoretical result and some analysis. Finally, the
numerical analysis and simulation will be used to analyze different motion
types.
II.   THEORETICAL MODEL

1.   Assumptions

w y
o

φ
O x
θ
Y

Figure 1: The formation of coordinates of

the earth and the pendulum
We first will give some reasonable assumptions of the Foucault pendulum
we concentrated on:

a)   Massless cable
We consider a massless cable with its length l tied between the weight
and the fixed point.

b)   Mass point for the weight

The weight is treated as a mass point ignoring its influence of size and
shape with mass m.

c)   Negligible motion range

The range of the motion can be neglected compared with the size of
the earth. Therefore, we neglect the variation of the latitude and the
gravitational field of the weight.

d)   The shape and the rotation of the earth

We consider the earth as a sphere, with its uniform gravitational field
g on its surface, rotating with a uniform angular velocity w around its
geometrical axis.

Other usual considerations of the motion of a particle in the Classic

Mechanics need not be described here. [11-13]
2.   The Construction of Coordinate System and Reference System

α l

o y

Figure 2: The pendulum and the

coordinate

To deduce the motional equations of the pendulum, the coordinate

system and reference system should first be given. And in order to give the
motion feature of the pendulum, a coordinate system fixed on the point, with
latitude 𝜑 and longitude 𝜃, lying the pendulum and rotating with the earth
firstly should be given, as the figure 1 shows, the Cartesian coordinates o-xyz,
with its base vectors i, j, k. So as to describe the angular velocity in this system,
an assistant coordinate system should be given, as the figure 1 shows, the O-

XYZ, with its base vectors  𝒆𝒙 , 𝒆𝒚 , 𝒆𝒛 . The relationship between this two

systems is:

𝒊 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃  𝒆𝒙   + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃  𝒆𝒚 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑  𝒆𝒛

𝒋 = −𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃  𝒆𝒙   +  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃  𝒆𝒚

𝒌 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃  𝒆𝒙   + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃  𝒆𝒚 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑  𝒆𝒛

Additionally, the angular velocity is:  𝒘 = 𝑤  𝒆𝒛 . The components of
𝒘 in the o-xyz system can be given as:

𝑤  F = −𝑤  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑
 𝑤  G = 0

𝑤  H = 𝑤  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑
(1)

3.   The deformation of the motional equations

If, ordinarily, we use Newton’s law to solve this problem, the effect of
the tension of the cable must be taken into consideration. In order to
simplify the process, to avoid the complicated effect of the tension of the
rope, in this model, the De Alembert Principle will be used and the
angles,  α, β, shown in the figure 2, the intersection angles between z axis
and the cable, x axis and the projection on x-y plane respectively, will be
taken as generalized coordinates. (Indeed, the work of the tension equals
zero when we take these generalized coordinates.)
The component of the position of the weight can be described with
these generalized coordinates as:
𝑥 = 𝑙  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽
𝑦 = 𝑙  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽
𝑧 = ℎ − 𝑙  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼
Thus, we can get:

𝑥 = 𝑙  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽  𝛼 −  𝑙  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽  𝛽

𝑦 = 𝑙  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽  𝛼 +  𝑙  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽  𝛽

𝑧 = 𝑙  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼  𝛼
(2.1)
And
                                     δx = 𝑙  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽  𝛿𝛼 −  𝑙  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽  𝛿𝛽

𝛿𝑦 = 𝑙  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽  𝛿𝛼 +  𝑙  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽  𝛿𝛽

𝛿𝑧 = 𝑙  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼  𝛿𝛼
(2.2)
 𝒙 = 𝒍  𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜶  𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜷𝜶 − 𝒍  𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜶  𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜷𝜷 − 𝒍  𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜶  𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜷𝜶𝟐 − 𝟐𝒍  𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜶  𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜷  𝜶𝜷 −  𝒍  𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜶  𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜷𝜷𝟐
𝒚 = 𝒍  𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜶  𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜷𝜶 + 𝒍  𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜶  𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜷𝜷 − 𝒍  𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜶  𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜷𝜶𝟐 + 𝟐𝒍  𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜶  𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜷  𝜶𝜷 −  𝒍  𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜶  𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜷𝜷𝟐
𝒛 = 𝒍  𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜶𝜶 + 𝒍  𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜶𝜶𝟐
(2.3)
The applied force on the weight (having the real effect) is:
𝑭 = 𝑭𝑪 + 𝑮

Where
𝑮 = −𝑚𝑔𝒌

𝑭𝑪 = 2m𝐯×𝐰
Where
𝐯 = 𝑥𝒊 + 𝑦𝒋 + 𝑧𝒌

𝐰 = 𝑤  F  𝒊 + 𝑤  G  𝒋 + 𝑤  H  𝒌
(3.1)
Due to the De Alembert Principle,

𝛿𝑊 = 𝑭 − 𝑚𝒓 ⋅ δ𝒓 = 0

And using the generalized coordinates, that is

𝛿𝑊 = 𝑄d  𝛿𝛼 + 𝑄e   𝛿𝛽

𝑄d 𝑄e   are the generalized forces.

Get that:
𝑄d = 0
𝑄e   = 0

When substituted (1), (2.2), (2.3), and (3.1), we can deduce that:

𝑔
𝛼 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼  𝛽 % − 2𝑤𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼   𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼  𝛽 +  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 = 0
𝑙
(3.2)

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼  𝛽 + 2  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼  𝛼𝛽 + 2𝑤   𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 𝛼 = 0

(3.3)

From (3.2) and (3.3), we can theoretically get the motion features of the
Foucault pendulum in the reference system rotating with the earth. To get
 special features, we need to solve these two differential equations.

Putting the two groups of equations above ((0.1), (0.2), and (3.2), (3.3))
together,
𝑔
𝛼 − 𝛼  𝛽 % − 2𝑤  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑  𝛼𝛽 +  𝛼 = 0
𝑙
𝛼  𝛽 + 2  𝛼𝛽 + 2𝑤  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑  𝛼 = 0

𝑔
𝛼 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼  𝛽 % − 2𝑤𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼   𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼  𝛽 +  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 = 0
𝑙
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼  𝛽 + 2  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼  𝛼𝛽 + 2𝑤   𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜑  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 𝛼 = 0
We can get that if putting  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 ≈ 𝛼, 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 ≈ 1 due to small angle 𝛼
and 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜑  𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼  𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 ≈ 0 compared with the other terms, these two
groups of equations will be equivalent. When 𝜑 = 0,  that is to locate the
pendulum at the North Pole, in addition, these two groups of equations are of

equivalence.

Then, the numerical analysis will be given as a result and a

comparison.

III.   NUMERICAL ANALYSIS

In this problem, pursuing to the result as accurate as possible, the Runge-

Kutta method [14, 15] will be used. The latitude of the pendulum will be fixed
h
at  𝜑 =   , the length of rope is  𝑙 = 67𝑚 , and the angular velocity of the
i

rotation of the earth can be calculated as 𝑤 = 7.27×10mn  𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠.

Several plots will firstly be given, then with the analysis and the
comparison.
 𝑥/𝑙

Figure 3: The motion trial projected on the horizontal plane for 100 s, derived from the new
method (Equation A). Initial parameter: 𝒍 = 𝟔𝟕𝒎, 𝜶𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝒓𝒂𝒅,  𝜷𝟎 = 𝟎, 𝜶𝟎̇ = 𝟎, 𝜷𝟎̇ = 𝟎.  
Figure 4: The motion trial projected on the horizontal plane for 100 s, derived from the
old method (Equation B). Initial parameter: 𝒍 = 𝟔𝟕𝒎, 𝜶𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝒓𝒂𝒅,  𝜷𝟎 = 𝟎, 𝜶𝟎̇ = 𝟎,
Figure 5: The motion trial projected on the horizontal plane for 100 s, derived from the
new original method (Equation A). Initial parameter: 𝒍 = 𝟔𝟕𝒎, 𝜶𝟎 = 𝝅/𝟔,  𝜷𝟎 =
𝟎, 𝜶𝟎̇ = 𝟎, 𝜷𝟎̇ = 𝟎.

Figure 6: The motion trial projected on the horizontal plane for 100 s, derived from the old
method (Equation B). Initial parameter: 𝒍 = 𝟔𝟕𝒎, 𝜶𝟎 = 𝝅/𝟔,  𝜷𝟎 = 𝟎, 𝜶𝟎̇ = 𝟎, 𝜷𝟎̇ = 𝟎.
 
Figure 7: The motion trial projected on the horizontal plane for 1000 s, derived from the new
method (Equation A). Initial parameter: 𝒍 = 𝟔𝟕𝒎, 𝜶𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝒓𝒂𝒅,  𝜷𝟎 = 𝟎, 𝜶𝟎̇ = 𝟎, 𝜷𝟎̇ = 𝟎.

Figure 8: The motion trial projected on the horizontal plane for 1000 s, derived from the old
method (Equation B). Initial parameter: 𝒍 = 𝟔𝟕𝒎, 𝜶𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝒓𝒂𝒅,  𝜷𝟎 = 𝟎, 𝜶𝟎̇ = 𝟎, 𝜷𝟎̇ = 𝟎.

Figure 7 and 8 show that even small oscillation condition is taken, long-
time process may lead the solution to the difference. In other words, Equation
B is inadequate in long-time process condition.
 After that, one element neglected in Equation B but considered in
Equation A, the motion in the direction of z-axis will be studied.

𝒛
𝒍

Figure 9: The relationship between z and t.The motion trial projected on the horizontal
plane for 1000 s, derived from the new method (Equation A). Initial parameter: 𝒍 =
𝟔𝟕𝒎, 𝜶𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝒓𝒂𝒅,  𝜷𝟎 = 𝟎, 𝜶𝟎̇ = 𝟎, 𝜷𝟎̇ = 𝟎.

𝒛
𝒍

Figure 10: The relationship between z and t. The motion trial projected on the
horizontal plane for 1000 s, derived from the new method (Equation A). Initial
parameter: 𝒍 = 𝟔𝟕𝒎, 𝜶𝟎 = 𝝅/𝟔,  𝜷𝟎 = 𝟎, 𝜶𝟎̇ = 𝟎, 𝜷𝟎̇ = 𝟎.
 H{|} F{|} H{|}
We can know from figure 3-6 and 9-10 that   = 0.02, = 0.2 and   =
~ ~ ~

F{|}
0.14, = 0.5 in low amplitude (0.2 rad) and high amplitude (π/6) respectively,
~

demonstrating that the motion of z-axis direction cannot be neglected especially in

the high amplitude condition.

Figure 11: The relationship between 𝜶 and t for both Equation A and B. (A is the new original method,
B is the old method.) Initial parameter: 𝒍 = 𝟔𝟕𝒎, 𝜶𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝒓𝒂𝒅    𝜷𝟎 = 𝟎, 𝜶𝟎̇ = 𝟎, 𝜷𝟎̇ = 𝟎. Time span is
100s.

Figure 12: The relationship between 𝜷 and t for both Equation A and B. (A is the new original method, B is
the old method.) Initial parameter: 𝒍 = 𝟔𝟕𝒎, 𝜶𝟎 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝒓𝒂𝒅,  𝜷𝟎 = 𝟎, 𝜶𝟎̇ = 𝟎, 𝜷𝟎̇ = 𝟎. Time span is 100s.
Figure 13: The relationship between 𝜶 and t for both Equation A and B. (A is the new original method, B is
the old method.) Initial parameter: 𝒍 = 𝟔𝟕𝒎, 𝜶𝟎 = 𝝅/𝟔,  𝜷𝟎 = 𝟎, 𝜶𝟎̇ = 𝟎, 𝜷𝟎̇ = 𝟎. Time span is 100s.

Figure 14: The relationship between 𝜷 and t for both Equation A and B. (A is the new original method, B is
the old method.) Initial parameter: 𝒍 = 𝟔𝟕𝒎, 𝜶𝟎 = 𝝅/𝟔,  𝜷𝟎 = 𝟎, 𝜶𝟎̇ = 𝟎, 𝜷𝟎̇ = 𝟎. Time span is 100s.
 Figure 11-14 can also give support for the comparison, similar under small
oscillation and different under large, and depict the mode of variation of these
variables, near-harmonic for  𝛼, and near-pulsing for  𝛽.  

Finally, there are some more motional features (Figure 15-18) of the Foucault
pendulum showing the non-linear feature of it.

Figure 15: The motion trial projected on the horizontal plane for 100 s, derived from the new original method
𝝅
(Equation A). Initial parameter: 𝒍 = 𝟔𝟕𝒎, 𝜶𝟎 = ,  𝜷𝟎 = 𝟎, 𝜶𝟎̇ = 𝟎, 𝜷𝟎̇ = 𝟎. 𝟑.
𝟔
Figure 16 The motion trial projected on the horizontal plane for 100 s, derived from the new original method

(Equation A). Initial parameter: 𝒍 = 𝟔𝟕𝒎, 𝜶𝟎 = 𝝅/𝟔,  𝜷𝟎 = 𝟎, 𝜶𝟎̇ = 𝟎. 𝟑, 𝜷𝟎̇ = 𝟎. 𝟑.

Figure 17 : The motion trial projected on the horizontal plane for 100 s, derived from the new original method (Equation

A). Initial parameter: 𝒍 = 𝟔𝟕𝒎, 𝜶𝟎 = 𝝅/𝟔,  𝜷𝟎 = 𝟎, 𝜶𝟎̇ = 𝟎. 𝟑, 𝜷𝟎̇ = 𝟎.

 Figure 18: The motion trial projected on the horizontal plane for 100 s, derived from the new original method (Equation

A). Initial parameter: 𝒍 = 𝟔𝟕𝒎, 𝜶𝟎 = 𝝅/𝟔,  𝜷𝟎 = 𝟎, 𝜶𝟎̇ = 𝟎. 𝟑, 𝜷𝟎̇ = 𝟎. 𝟓

IV.   CONCLUSION

Facing the problem of the Foucault pendulum, we firstly build up the

model using some assumptions making the pendulum itself as a simple
pendulum except for the applying of the Coriolis force. The De Alembert
principle is applied in this problem to avoid calculating the effect of the
tension of the rope which is actually do no work to the weight. Then, we take
two independent generalized coordinates to describe its exact motion and get
the motional equations, marking that the problem is solved theoretically.

During the research, it is found that a large majority of the papers

researching on the physic motion of the Foucault pendulum assume that the
weight can be seen as moving on the horizontal plane under the condition of
small-amplitude oscillation. There is certainly doubt of whether this
assumption is considerable and what the motion is like under the condition
of high-amplitude oscillation. Thus, we use the model without small-
amplitude oscillation and want to compare this two methods to this problem.
In this paper, we do a lot of comparison between the two methods in
theoretical and numerical analysis. There is a conclusion that the difference
between the results are different under varied conditions. Considering the
low-amplitude oscillation condition, the two results, to some extent, are
similar, but also holds some difference. As for the high-amplitude oscillation,
the difference, through the calculation and comparison, is obvious, showing
that the original method proposing in this paper holds greater merits than the
former.

So as to specialize the motional feature of the Foucault pendulum and

do the comparison have mentioned, some numerical simulations are done in
this paper. We mainly analyze the motion projected on the horizontal plane,
the motion in the vertical direction and the variables (the two generalized
coordinates) varying with time. Some features of the non-linear motion are
shown in the plots through the numerical calculation.

The problem of the motional feature of the Foucault pendulum is finally

solved during the research.

ACKNOWLDGEMENT

Appreciate the instruction of Prof. Xiao Mingwen of the school of Physics in Nanjing University.
REFERENCE
[1]   Kissell, Joe. Foucault’s Pendulum: Low-tech proof of Earth’s rotation. Interesting thing of
the day.
[2]   W. B. Somerville. The Description of Foucault's Pendulum. Q. J. R. Astron. Soc. 13, 40
(1972).
[3]   J. B. Hart, R. E. Miller and R. L. Mills. A simple geometric model for visualizing the motion
of a Foucault pendulum. Am. J. Phys. 55, 67–70 (1987).
[4]   M. I. Krivoruchenko. Rotation of the swing plane of Foucault's pendulum and Thomas spin
precession: Two faces of one coin. Phys. Usp. 52, 821–829 (2009).
[5]   Johnson, George. "Here They Are, Science's 10 Most Beautiful Experiments". The New
York Times.
[6]   C. Criadoa, N.Alamob. Thomas rotation and Foucault pendulum under a simple unifying
geometrical point of view. International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics 44 (2009) 923 –
927.
[7]   Daniel Condurache, Vladimir Martinusi. Foucault Pendulum-like problems: A tensorial
approach. International Journal of Non-Linear Mechanics 43 (2008) 743 – 760.
[8]   William J. Noble. A Direct Treatment of the Foucault pendulum. American Journal of
Physics 20, 334 (1952).
[9]   Alexander Khein and D. F. Nelson. Hannay angle study of the Foucault pendulum in
actionangle variables. American Journal of Physics 61, 170 (1993).
[10]   Geoffrey I. Opat. The precession of a Foucault pendulum viewed as a beat phenomenon
of a conical pendulum subject to a Coriolis force. American Journal of Physics 59, 822
(1991).
[11]   Rana, N.C., and Joag, P.S. Classical Mechanics. West Petal Nagar, New Delhi. Tata
McGraw-Hill.
[12]   Landau, L. D., Lifshitz, E. M. Mechanics and Electrodynamics, Vol. 1. Franklin Book
Company, Inc. (1972)
[13]   Carl M. Bender, Daniel W. Hook, Karta Kooner. Complex Elliptic Pendulum.
[14]   Kutta, Martin Wilhelm. Beitrag zur näherungsweisen Integration totaler
Differentialgleichungen. Zeitschrift für Mathematik und Physik 46: 435-­‐‑ –453.
[15]   Atkinson, Kendall A. An Introduction to Numerical Analysis (2nd ed.), New York: John Wiley
& Sons (1989).