Calculating force required to keep pendulum in motion

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the force required to maintain the motion of a pendulum, considering factors such as frictional losses and damping effects during oscillations. The original poster provides specific parameters including the initial force applied, displacement angle, length, and weight of the pendulum, as well as the number of cycles before it comes to rest.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster seeks to determine energy loss during oscillations and how to calculate the force needed to keep the pendulum moving. Some participants question the terminology used regarding force and energy, suggesting clarification on units and concepts related to work and momentum.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the definitions and calculations related to the forces acting on the pendulum. There is an acknowledgment of the original poster's intent to quantify energy loss and maintain motion, but no consensus has been reached on the specific calculations or methods to achieve this.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing the implications of using a spring gauge for measuring force and the need for clarity on the units of measurement. The original poster mentions a specific number of oscillations and time taken for the pendulum to come to rest, which may influence the calculations being discussed.

starcrossed
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Hi,

I am interested in calculating the force required to keep a pendulum in motion. I believe This force will be same as the frictional loss + other dampening loss happening in the oscillations.

now,

I know the initial push or force that i am giving to the pendulum. let initial force given to pendulum be 3.5 Kg force-cm.

I also know the displacement angle of pendulum. The displacement angle A= 20 Degrees.

The length of the pendulum is L=30 cm. and the weight of the pendulum is W=10 Kg.

The pendulum oscillations dies out after say 40 cycles.

Can i calculate how much energy is lost in the pedulum during this 40 cycles?

How can i calculate the energy loss per cycle from this?

My ultimate aim is to calculate the force required to be given to the pendulum to keep it moving.


Can some one please help?

Thanks
 
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starcrossed said:
I know the initial push or force that i am giving to the pendulum. let initial force given to pendulum be 3.5 Kg force-cm.

Force times distance (F dx) is work (energy), while force times time (F dt) is impulse or momentum transfer. Push is not a recognized term for either work or momentum transfer.

Force is measured in Newtons. Sometimes a Newton is called a kilogram-force, but it does not properly connotate the correct units.

1 Newton = 1 kilogram-meter / sec2
 
Last edited:
sorry about that...my mistake,

I am actually pushing rather pulling the pendulum with 3.5 kgf force. i have a spring gauge which i am using for measurement. I lift the pendulum weighing 10 kg's to about 20 degrees. the spring gauge reads 3.5 kg. then i release the pendulum.

The time for one oscillation is about 1.4 seconds. the pendulum comes to rest in about 30 oscillations. the total time taken for it to come to rest is say around 40 seconds.

i am interested in find the amount of force that must be supplied to pendulum to keep it in motion.
 
can some one please help?
 

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