Angular frequency - how is it derived?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of the formula for angular frequency, specifically \(\omega = \sqrt{\frac{g}{L}}\), in the context of pendulum motion. Participants reference equations related to angular displacement and acceleration, as well as the relationship between arc length and angular position.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between angular displacement and linear motion, questioning the meaning of terms like arc length and acceleration in the context of pendulum motion. There are discussions about applying Newton's laws to both translational and rotational movements, as well as the implications of solving the differential equation governing the motion.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights into the mathematical relationships involved. Some express uncertainty about the steps leading to the angular frequency formula, while others offer clarifications and suggest verifying solutions through differential equations. There is no explicit consensus on the derivation process, but multiple interpretations and approaches are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note varying levels of familiarity with differential equations, which may influence their understanding of the problem. The original poster and others are grappling with the transition from the differential equation to the angular frequency expression.

UrbanXrisis
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How is the formula for angular derived?

[tex]\omega=\sqrt{\frac{g}{L}}[/tex]

my book has these equations:

[tex]F= -mg sin\theta = m \frac{d^2s}{dt^2}[/tex]

[tex]\frac{d^2 \theta}{dt^2}=-\frac{g}{L}sin\theta[/tex]

[tex]\frac{d^2 \theta}{dt^2}=-\frac{g}{L}\theta[/tex]

[tex]\omega=\sqrt{\frac{g}{L}}[/tex]

what exactly is m [tex]\frac{d^2s}{dt^2}[/tex] and [tex]\frac{d^2 \theta}{dt^2}[/tex]
 
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[tex]\mbox{s} [/itex] is arc length...Because the movement is on a circle<br /> <br /> [tex]s=L\theta[/tex]<br /> <br /> ,where [itex]\theta[/itex] is the angle at the center of the circle...<br /> <br /> Daniel.[/tex]
 
s is the position of the particle, so the second derivative wtr time denotes the acceleration 'a' of the particle. (Hence F=ma in the first equation)

Solve the D.E. and check what that you get a periodic function. What is its angular frequency?
 
Instead of applying Newton's second law for the translation movement [itex]\frac{d\vec{\mbox{p}}}{dt}=\sum_{k} \vec{\mbox{F}}_{k}[/itex],try to apply it for the rotation movement [itex]\frac{d\vec{\mbox{L}}}{dt}=\sum_{k} \vec{\mbox{M}}_{k}[/itex]


Daniel.
 
okay, I understand up to here:
[tex]\frac{d^2 \theta}{dt^2}=-\frac{g}{L}\theta[/tex]


I think the next step is this...
[tex]\sqrt{\frac{d^2 \theta}{dt^2}}=\sqrt{-\frac{g}{L}\theta}[/tex]
[tex]\sqrt{\frac{d^2 \theta}{dt^2}}=\frac{d \theta}{dt}= \omega[/tex]
[tex]\omega = \sqrt{\frac{g}{L}[/tex]

but I don't think I'm correct
 
Of course not.

It's a definition

[tex]\frac{g}{l}=:\omega_{0}^{2}[/tex]

That's all to it.

Daniel.
 
but how do I get [tex]\frac{d^2 \theta}{dt^2}=-\frac{g}{L}\theta[/tex] to go to [tex]\omega=\sqrt{\frac{g}{L}}[/tex]
 
How much have you studied about solving differential equations? Here in the USA, very few people study differential equations at the K-12 level.

It turns out that a general solution of the differential equation

[tex]\frac {d^2 \theta} {d t^2} = - \frac {g}{l} \theta[/tex]

is

[tex]\theta = A \sin \left(\sqrt {\frac {g}{l}} t + \theta_0\right)[/tex]

where [itex]A[/itex] and [itex]\theta_0[/itex] are arbitrary constants. You can verify this by working out the second derivative and plugging it back into the differential equation. A general form of a sinusoidal function is

[tex]x = A \sin (\omega t + \theta_0)[/itex]<br /> <br /> where [itex]\omega[/itex] is the angular frequency. Matching up the preceding two equations gives you<br /> <br /> [tex]\omega = \sqrt {\frac {g}{l}}[/tex][/tex]
 

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