What happens inside a mechanical metronome when you move the block to change its tempo?

Question

What happens inside a mechanical metronome when you move the block to change its tempo?

In: 13

Answer 1

The only thing inside a metronome is a coil spring. A metronome is basically just a pendulum (heavy weight dangling from a pivot point). The only thing that affects how frequently a pendulum swings is the distance of the weight from the pivot point. So you change the metronome timing by sliding a weight closer or father from the pivot. The spring provides the force to push it back and forth as the swinging pendulum winds and unwinds the spring.