pendulum max acceleration

[UrbanXrisis]

I am given that the mass of a simple pendulum is 0.25kg, length 1m and displaced 15 degrees then released. How would I find the max angular acceleration?

I could calculate max velocity with conservation of energy, but not sure now to calculate the max acceleration.

[OlderDan]

I am given that the mass of a simple pendulum is 0.25kg, length 1m and displaced 15 degrees then released. How would I find the max angular acceleration?

I could calculate max velocity with conservation of energy, but not sure now to calculate the max acceleration.

Maximum acceleration occurs where the force is maximum, at the ends of the motion. Find the unbalanced force acting on the mass at the point of release, and use Newtons second law. The forces acting are gravity and the tension in the string. The question asks for angular acceleration, so you will need to convert from linear acceleration to angular acceleration.

As an alternative, if you know about torque and moment of inertia of the mass on the string, you can calculate angular acceleration from that point of view.