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 block on the rod is acting like an inverted pendulum. A pendulum’s frequency depends on its length. Sliding the block moves the pendulum’s center of mass, changing its effective length. Nothing really changes *inside* the metronome. The wound spring inside pushes with the same force as before, but moving the weight further from the pivot makes it swing slower for that given amount of push, while moving it closer to create a shorter pendulum makes it swing faster.