Basic Details
Word: Pendulum
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A weight hung from a fixed point that swings back and forth, often used in clocks.
Synonyms: Oscillator, swinging weight
Antonyms: N/A
Idioms and Phrases
- Like a pendulum: Refers to something that constantly swings between two extremes. Example: "His mood was like a pendulum, swinging from joy to sadness."
- Pendulum effect: The situation where something changes back and forth between two states or conditions. Example: "The pendulum effect of the economy makes it hard to predict the future."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The pendulum of the grandfather clock moved smoothly from side to side, ticking away the seconds.
Example 2: Scientists often study the motion of a pendulum to understand concepts like gravity and energy.
Example 3: In physics class, we learned that a longer pendulum swings more slowly than a shorter one.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the pendulum was first described by the famous scientist Galileo Galilei in the 16th century? He discovered that a pendulum swings at a constant rate, which is why they are used in clocks for timekeeping.
Famous Quote
"The pendulum of the mind alternates between sense and nonsense, not between right and wrong." Carl Jung
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "pendulum" mean?
a) A type of clock
b) A weight that swings back and forth
c) A large bird
d) A piece of furniture
Answer: b) A weight that swings back and forth
2. Which of these is a synonym of "pendulum"?
a) Oscillator
b) Stopwatch
c) Compass
d) Wheel
Answer: a) Oscillator
3. Which sentence uses "pendulum" correctly?
a) The pendulum flew high in the sky.
b) The pendulum of the clock clicked every hour.
c) The pendulum danced beautifully at the party.
d) The pendulum ran very fast.
Answer: b) The pendulum of the clock clicked every hour.
4. Which idiom means the same as "pendulum"?
a) Swinging into action
b) Slow and steady
c) Like a pendulum
d) As sound as a bell
Answer: c) Like a pendulum
5. What is the opposite of "pendulum"?
a) N/A
b) Fixed weight
c) Heavy stone
d) Swinging tree
Answer: a) N/A
