Types of Two-Dimensional Pendulums and Their Uses in Education

Pendulums which swing in two dimensions simultaneously and aredesigned to leave a record of their motion are termed `harmonographs'.The curves which they draw are known, alternatively, as `Bowditchcurves' or `Lissajous curves'. A variety of designs of harmonographshave been invented over the years. These may be a `Y-suspended'`simple' pendulum, or they may be a complex `physical' pendulumsystem. Harmonographs have been built as demonstration apparatusin physics (or mathematics) or as `art' machines for enjoying theaesthetics of the curves produced.

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