What Is the Correct Equation of Motion for a Pendulum at Any Amplitude?

In summary: You have to solve the differential equation numerically.In summary, the equation of motion for a pendulum is given by the differential equation ##\frac{d\phi^2}{dt^2}=-\frac{g}{l}\sin(\phi)##, where ##\phi## is the angle of the pendulum and g is the acceleration due to gravity. For small amplitude, the approximate equations of motion for the pendulum head are given by ##x(t)=l\sin(\phi)## and ##y(t)=l(\cos(\phi)-1)##. However, for any amplitude, the equation must be solved numerically as there is no analytic solution.
  • #1
olgerm
Gold Member
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Homework Statement


what is equation of motion for pendulum?pendulum is made of pointmass, which mass is m, is fixed to thread ,which length is l? Oscillation aplitude is θ.Other side of thread is fixed in (0;0;0)point. at time t=0
[itex]t=0;y=0
;z=0
;φ=θ[/itex]

Homework Equations


[itex]\frac{dφ^2}{dt^2}=-\frac{g}{l}*Sin(φ)[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution


x(t)=?
y(t)=0
z(t)=0
t(t)=t
 
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  • #3

Homework Statement


what is equation of motion for pendulum?pendulum is made of pointmass, which mass is m, is fixed to thread ,which length is l? Oscillation aplitude is θ.Other side of thread is fixed in (0;0;0)point. at time t=0
[itex]t=0;
;z=0
;φ=θ[/itex]

Homework Equations


[itex]\frac{dφ^2}{dt^2}=-\frac{g}{l}*Sin(φ)[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution


x(t)=?
y(t)=?
z(t)=0
t(t)=t
 
  • #4
Dr. Courtney said:
Small angle approximation!
What is small angel approximation ? The relevant equation I wrote?
 
  • #5
olgerm said:
What is small angel approximation ? The relevant equation I wrote?
Google it.
 
  • #6
Draw a picture! If the line of the pendulum is at angle [itex]\theta[/itex] to the vertical the force acting on the pendulum bob is straight down but the pendulum string prevents the bob from moving straight down. Divide the force into components perpendicular to and parallel to the circular arc the pendulum bob makes. The use "force= mass times acceleration".
 
  • #7
[itex]φ=θ*sin(\sqrt{\frac{g}{l}*t})[/itex]

[itex]\begin{cases}
x=sin(φ)*l\\
y=l*(cos(φ)*-1)\\
\end{cases}[/itex]

So correct equation of motion is
[itex]\begin{cases}
x=sin(θ*sin(\sqrt{\frac{g}{l}*t}))*l\\
y=cos(θ*sin(\sqrt{\frac{g}{l}*t}))*l-l\\
\end{cases}[/itex]
?
 
  • #8
olgerm said:
[itex]φ=θ*sin(\sqrt{\frac{g}{l}*t})[/itex]

[itex]\begin{cases}
x=sin(φ)*l\\
y=l*(cos(φ)*-1)\\
\end{cases}[/itex]

So correct equation of motion is
[itex]\begin{cases}
x=sin(θ*sin(\sqrt{\frac{g}{l}*t}))*l\\
y=cos(θ*sin(\sqrt{\frac{g}{l}*t}))*l-l\\
\end{cases}[/itex]
?
For small amplitude, that's roughly right, but doesn't satisfy the given initial conditions.
However, the OP does not specify small angles, so it's not clear whether this is what is wanted. Maybe they just want the differential equation, but using x and y instead of ##\phi##.
 
  • #9
haruspex said:
For small amplitude, that's roughly right, but doesn't satisfy the given initial conditions.
However, the OP does not specify small angles, so it's not clear whether this is what is wanted. Maybe they just want the differential equation, but using x and y instead of ##\phi##.
What is the correct equation for any amplitude?
I mean motion of equation of pendulum "head".
x(t)=??
y(t)=??
 
Last edited:
  • #10
olgerm said:
What is the correct equation for any amplitude?
I mean motion of equation of pendulum "head".
x(t)=??
y(t)=??
There is no analytic solution.
 

Related to What Is the Correct Equation of Motion for a Pendulum at Any Amplitude?

1. What is the equation of motion for a pendulum?

The equation of motion for a pendulum is given by T = 2π√(ℓ/g), where T is the period of oscillation, is the length of the pendulum, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

2. How does the length of a pendulum affect its motion?

The length of a pendulum has a direct effect on its period of oscillation. The longer the pendulum, the longer its period will be. This means that a longer pendulum will take more time to complete one full cycle of motion compared to a shorter pendulum.

3. What is the relationship between the amplitude and period of a pendulum?

The amplitude of a pendulum, which is the maximum angle it swings to on either side, does not affect its period. The period of a pendulum only depends on its length and the acceleration due to gravity.

4. How does the acceleration due to gravity affect a pendulum's motion?

The acceleration due to gravity affects a pendulum's motion by determining its period of oscillation. The higher the value of g, the shorter the period of the pendulum will be. This means that a pendulum will oscillate faster in a location with a higher gravitational acceleration compared to a location with a lower gravitational acceleration.

5. Can the equation of motion for a pendulum be used to calculate the period of any pendulum?

The equation of motion for a pendulum can only be used to calculate the period of a simple pendulum, which is a pendulum with a mass attached to a string or rod that swings back and forth. It cannot be used for more complex pendulums, such as a compound pendulum or a physical pendulum, as these have different equations of motion.

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