Quick Answer: The Maxwell’s Pendulum is a rotating body on an axle hung from two strings in a support frame; as it unwinds and rewinds, it shows potential energy turning into translational and rotational kinetic energy.
Last updated: October 2026
Key Features
Support frame with axle, strings and clamps on a base
Strings wound evenly on the axle to raise the rotating body
Falls while spinning, then rewinds and climbs again
Height lost on each cycle shows the effect of friction and air resistance
Technical Specifications
Specification
Value
Use
Conversion of potential energy into translational and rotational kinetic energy
Learning concepts
Potential energy, kinetic energy, rotational kinetic energy, moment of inertia, angular velocity, oscillation, conservation of energy
Material
Metal and mechanical components
About This Product
With both strings wound evenly on the axle, the body is released without a push and drops while spinning faster, then uses its rotation to wind back up. Students relate the up-and-down motion to conservation of mechanical energy and moment of inertia, and the slowly falling height on each cycle to friction and air resistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Maxwell’s Pendulum rise a little less each time?
Friction and air resistance take some energy on each cycle, so the height reached gradually decreases.
