Longcase clocks, often called grandfather clocks, are tall enough to hold a long pendulum. A pendulum about a metre long swings once in two seconds — one tick on each side — which is why classic grandfather clocks are called seconds-pendulum clocks. The pendulum here swings with the same two-second rhythm, one tick for each second.
The dial has Roman numerals and spade hands in the traditional style. It is a good clock for a quiet, warm-looking corner of a screen, and it works as a stopwatch and countdown too: the hands show the elapsed or remaining time and the pendulum keeps swinging.
Where it's useful
- A traditional clock for a lobby or reception screen
- A relaxing background clock while you work
- A themed clock for a classroom lesson about pendulums
- A decorative clock for a site or stream
Three ways to use it
- Clock — the time of day in your time zone or any city, in 12- or 24-hour form.
- Stopwatch — counts up with laps; press Lap while it runs.
- Countdown — counts down from any time you set, sounds at zero, then counts overtime.
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Questions
Why does a grandfather clock have a pendulum?
A pendulum swings at a steady rate set by its length, so it regulates the clock mechanism. About a metre of pendulum gives a swing of one second each way.
Does the pendulum match real seconds?
Yes. In clock mode it swings once each way per second, in time with the second hand's ticks.
Why is the face taller than the other clocks?
To fit the case and pendulum. The shape adjusts so it fits any space without stretching.