Re: how did galileo know...

"Androcles" <Androcles@ MyPlace.org> wrote in message
news:epgQe.35041$jr4.367@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> "John Zinni" <j_zinni.NOCRAP@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:g9aQe.2395$Ld.566164@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> | "francisco" <paco1955@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> | news:jS9Qe.389$m56.96@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> | > how did galileo know that the pendulum swings at the same frequency
> | > regardless of the amplitude?
> | >
> | > note: since pendulum were crucial to the building of the first
> clocks,
> | > galileo couldn't have used a clock to find the answer.
> |
> | He could compare two or more pendulums of equal length but different
> | amplitude.
> |
> Good Grief! Why don't you guess the answer instead of finding out?
>
> In the 1600's everyone went to church, including Galileo Galilei.
> This filled the churches.
> The people stank, and incense was burned to mask the odour.
>
>
> Etymology: Middle English encens, from Old French, from Late Latin
> incensum, from Latin, neuter of incensus, past participle of incendere
> to set on fire, from in- + -cendere to burn; akin to Latin candEre to
> glow -- more at CANDID
> 1 : material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned
> 2 : the perfume exhaled from some spices and gums when burned; broadly :
> a pleasing scent
>
> To distribute the pong of burning incense, the incense pot was hung
> from the church roof by a long rope or chain and swung back and forth.
>
> Galileo, intelligent, sitting in church and bored with the repetitive
> proceedings, timed the swing of the pot by counting his own pulse.

I seriously doubt that Galileo conducted all of his pendulum experiments
while bored out of his skull sitting in church.


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