LEVITATING PENDULUM

Task: create a product using a principle from an object that you explored. Arduino has to be a part of the new product. The product doesn’t have to have a function.

The object I derived a principle from was a pendulum clock. I wanted to recreate the movement of the pendulum. I learnt that magnets can be used to mimic the motion. I started experimenting with magnets and came up with the idea for my design.

Levitating pendulum was born out of curiosity. I wanted to find out if it would be possible for a magnet to hold a piece of metal horizontally at a distance, making it "levitate.”

After several attempts, it worked. I found out that the main conditions for it to function are complete stillness of the blocks that the string and the magnet are attached to, as well as inextensibility of the string. 

Another curious thing that I discovered is the fact that the piece of metal trembles if the magnet is rotated. I attached the magnet to the Arduino motor a bit unevenly, which made the metal piece go back and forth, recreating the pendulum motion. 

The final product is a pendulum within a pendulum. It is fascinating to watch it swing while levitating, and if you disturb the delicate balance in any way, the pendulum would swing in a different direction, slowly coming to a halt.