SPHERICAL PENDULUM IN GRAVITATIONAL EXPERIMENTS

The fine structure of the trajectory of the Foucault pendulum with ani sotropic suspension is investigated. In respect of non-Newtonian gravi tational effects, a mathematical theory of this device is developed an d an analytic formula for the precession of plane of swing as a functi on of the initial conditions and anisotropy of suspension is obtained. Effects of viscous friction, seismic noise and dynamical instability are investigated. The characteristics of the pendulum dynamics are com pared with the results of existing and planned gravitational experimen ts.