among Simple harmonic oscillation, simple pendulum and physical pendulum

What is the similarity between Simple Harmonic Oscillation(SHO), simple pendulum and a physical pendulum? I never understood it. Like whats the physical significance of SHO, or the energy and momentum change in oscillating motion?
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 I dont understand your question. Simple Harmonic Motion is just that, simple-harmonic-motion. In this idealization, no energy is lost to the system; therefore, it is converted from all potential energy at the top of the arc to all kinetic energy at the bottom of the arc. This is known as Rayleigh's energy method.
 Simple harmonic oscillation Simple harmonic oscillation is a system described by $$\ddot{x}=-\omega^2 x$$ where $\omega$ is some constant, and $x$ is usually a displacement variable. We can solve this equation in general, very easily. An example of this is the spring-mass oscillator. Simple pendulum Another example is the simple pendulum, where $x=\theta$ the angular displacement, and $\omega^2 = g/l$. Physical pendulum As for the physical pendulum, if we are careful, we find that it is not a true simple harmonic oscillator; instead it obeys the following equation: $$\ddot{x}=-\omega^2 \sin(x).$$ In the case of small displacements: $$\lim_{x\rightarrow 0}\sin(x)=x$$ and we find that in this case, the physical pendulum is well approximated by the simple pendulum. This is useful since the SHO equation is solved much more easily than the equation for the physical pendulum.

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among Simple harmonic oscillation, simple pendulum and physical pendulum

Not really, masudr.

The only difference between the "simple pendulum" and the "physical pendulum" is the mass distribution; the simple pendulum consists of a massless rod ending in a bob with mass.
An example of a "physical pendulum" would be a rod of uniform density.
Note that this difference in mass distribution makes for different moments of inertiae, and therefore different periods of the pendulae.

Simple harmonic motion is not present in either case, but for small angular displacements, that approximation is justified.
 thanks alot, also does the period have any m dependence in the simple pendulum? No right since its a masless rod. Also under what condition does the theoretical formula hold for the simple pendulum, would it be only for larger angles and amplitudes? Also there is a mass dependence in the physical pendulum right and does the theoretical formula hold for small angular displacements?

 Quote by arildno The only difference between the "simple pendulum" and the "physical pendulum" is the mass distribution; the simple pendulum consists of a massless rod ending in a bob with mass.
Isn't this merely a case of definition? I'll accept, however, that you know that in the literature the common usage is as you described.
 can someone answer this please does the period have any m dependence in the simple pendulum? No right since its a masless rod. Also under what condition does the theoretical formula hold for the simple pendulum, would it be only for larger angles and amplitudes? Also there is a mass dependence in the physical pendulum right and does the theoretical formula hold for small angular displacements?
 pawana, do you go to stonybrook? these questions sound reeeally familiar..

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 Quote by masudr Isn't this merely a case of definition? I'll accept, however, that you know that in the literature the common usage is as you described.
Of course it is just a matter of definition. I furnished the one I'm used to.
 Near any stable equilibrium, the 2nd degree Taylor expansion of the potential is the simple harmonic oscillator, so any oscillation near a stable equilbrium can be approximated by simple harmonic motion. And also, the differential equation is linear and very easily solved.

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