Abstract
Abstract The sphere and the vertically oriented cylinder are more repeatable and predictable bob shapes than the more efficient, lower-drag prolate spheroid and football shapes. As a bob shape, prolate spheroids have low air drag for their volume, and give a high Q pendulum. Only football-shaped bobs, that is, bobs with pointed ends (120 degrees included angles) in the direction of travel give a higher Q. A prolate spheroid shape can be obtained by rotating an ellipse 360 degrees around its long axis. The improved repeatability and predictability of spheres and vertically oriented cylinders can be attributed to their not having the rotational alignment uncertainty that is present in the prolate spheroid and football bob shapes.
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