Calculating Acceleration of 20 kg Pendulum at Lowest Point

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the vertical acceleration of a 20 kg pendulum at its lowest point, with a period of 1.5 seconds and a displacement angle of 13 degrees. The correct approach involves determining the pendulum's length from its period, calculating the height based on the angle, and applying conservation of energy principles to find the velocity. The final calculation for centripetal acceleration uses the formula ac = v2/r, leading to the conclusion that the vertical acceleration at the lowest point is greater than gravitational acceleration.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of simple harmonic motion (SHM)
  • Familiarity with centripetal acceleration formulas
  • Knowledge of conservation of energy principles
  • Ability to calculate pendulum length from period
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to derive the length of a pendulum from its period using the formula l = g/(ω2)
  • Study the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy in pendulum motion
  • Explore the concept of centripetal acceleration in circular motion
  • Investigate the effects of angle on pendulum dynamics and acceleration
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding pendulum mechanics and acceleration calculations in simple harmonic motion.

Thefox14
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Homework Statement



Let's go back to the original pendulum of mass 20 kg with a period of 1.5 sec, displaced an angle of 13 degrees from the vertical. What would its acceleration be in the vertical (y) direction as it reachs the lowest point on its swing?

[PLAIN]https://wug-s.physics.uiuc.edu/cgi/courses/shell/common/showme.pl?cc/DuPage/phys2111/fall/homework/Ch-15-SHM/simp_pendulum/3.gif


Homework Equations


\omega = \sqrt{g/l}
a_{c} = \frac{v^{2}}{r}

The Attempt at a Solution


I think I'm missing something in this problem. It sounds like it should be easy but I just can't get it. I first thought that since its going through centripetal acceleration at its lowest point, the y component of the acceleration would equal the total acceleration. So I solved for w and used w2*r = acen. The answer I got was 9.81 (gravity), but that's not the right answer.

Could someone help step me through this? And happy Thanksgiving!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Never mind, just figured it out.

If anyone is curious how:

1. From the period you can find the length of the pendulum
2. from the angle you can find how high up the pendulum has gone
3. conservation of energy (all potential -> all kinetic)
4. use v2/r = acen
 

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