A uniform steel bar swings from a pivot

AI Thread Summary
To solve for the length of a uniform steel bar swinging from a pivot with a period of 1.3 seconds, the correct formula to use is T=2π√(2L/3g), applicable for a physical pendulum. The initial attempt using T=2π√(L/g) was incorrect because it applies to a simple pendulum, not a bar pivoted at one end. The confusion arose from the moment of inertia and the distance of the center of mass from the pivot, where h is L/2. After clarifying the equation and substituting the correct values, the accurate length can be determined. Understanding the distinction between simple and physical pendulums is crucial for solving this problem correctly.
chicagobears34
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Homework Statement


A uniform steel bar swings from a pivot at one end with a period of 1.3 sec.
Solve for Length of bar

Homework Equations


T=2pi*sqrt(L/g)

The Attempt at a Solution


since the period is 1.3 seconds, I just plug in 1.3 for T and 9.8m/s^2 for g and solve for L
i get L= .42m, which is wrong.
What am I doing wrong?
 
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So are you solving for the length of the bar? It is unclear in the information above what you are solving for.
 
Yosty22 said:
So are you solving for the length of the bar? It is unclear in the information above what you are solving for.

yes I am supposed to solve for the length of the bar, sorry about that
 
chicagobears34 said:

Homework Statement


A uniform steel bar swings from a pivot at one end with a period of 1.3 sec.
Solve for Length of bar

Homework Equations


T=2pi*sqrt(L/g)

Your formula is valid for a simple (mathematical) pendulum. It is a "physical pendulum" now.

ehild
 
I used T=2pi * sqrt(2L/3G) and got the correct answer.
is this the formula for period of a pendulum with a bar or something?
 
ehild said:
Yes, it is correct for a rod pivoted at one end. See http://cnx.org/content/m15585/latest/


I read your source and can't figure out how they came to that equation. When I do the math out of \frac{I}{Mgh} and substitute \frac {ML^2}{3}for I, I get 2\pi\sqrt{\frac {L}{3g}}instead of 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{2L}{3g}} Where did the 2 come from in the numerator in the correct equation?

EDIT: Was missing the equation higher up in your source article where it stated that h=\frac{L}{2} where I was assuming h was the same as L.
 
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The time period of a physical pendulum is

T=2\pi \sqrt{\frac{I}{mgh}}

where I is the moment of inertia of the swinging body with respect to the pivot,
m is the mass,
h is the distance of the centre of mass from the pivot.

In case of a homogeneous thin bar of length L, I=mL2/3, and the CM is at the middle, so h=L/2.ehild
 
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