Coupled pendulums and wave equation.

In summary, the conversation discusses the behavior of two coupled pendulums and an equation for describing a wave. The pendulums transfer energy to each other as they swing, with one pendulum overtaking the other at certain points. The position of the spring affects the outcome of the pendulum's motion. The equation for the wave includes an amplitude term and a derived term involving time and wavelength. The conversation also mentions a question about the energy states of the pendulums when they have the same amplitude.
  • #1
HenryA.
7
0

Homework Statement




(A)
[PLAIN]http://remote.physik.tu-berlin.de/farm/uploads/pics/Gekoppeltes_Pendel_01.png
What happens when you swing pendulum P1?

(B)
How does the position of the spring affect the outcome?

(C)
If the length of the string of one pendulum was longer than the other, what will happen when you start swinging either one of these pendulums?

(D)
This an equation for describing a wave:

[tex]S(x,t)=Sm \times sin \left(\frac{2\pi}{T}t-\frac{2\pi}{\lambda}x\right)[/tex]

Sm = amplitude

How do you derive this part:

[tex]\left(\frac{2\pi}{T}t-\frac{2\pi}{\lambda}x\right)[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


(A)
When pendulum P1 starts swinging and it reaches its maximum (the amplitude) at π/2, the other pendulum starts moving, . At this point the energy is starting to get transferred from P1 to P2. Once P1 stops moving, P2 will have reached its maximum amplitude. At this point P2 overtakes P1 by π/2 and the whole process starts again.
(B)
Slower.
(C)
In the experiment, one of them never stopped moving, the other one started and stopped multiple times. I know that these two pendulums have different frequencies, but I do not know how I would describe this phenomenon.
(D)
I got nowhere with this question.
 
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  • #2
Another question:

What formula could I use to describe the states of energy of those two pendulums, specifically referring to the point where they have they same amplitude.
 

1. What are coupled pendulums?

Coupled pendulums are two or more pendulums that are connected to each other by a spring or a string. They are often used to demonstrate the phenomenon of resonance and to study the properties of waves.

2. How does the motion of coupled pendulums relate to the wave equation?

The motion of coupled pendulums can be described by the wave equation, which is a partial differential equation that relates the displacement of the pendulums to the forces acting on them. This equation is often used in physics to describe the propagation of waves.

3. What is the significance of resonance in coupled pendulums?

Resonance is a phenomenon that occurs when the frequency of an external force matches the natural frequency of an object. In the case of coupled pendulums, resonance can cause the pendulums to swing with a larger amplitude, resulting in a more pronounced wave pattern.

4. Can coupled pendulums be used to model real-life systems?

Yes, coupled pendulums can be used to model various real-life systems, such as bridges, buildings, and even molecules. By studying the behavior of coupled pendulums, scientists and engineers can gain a better understanding of how these systems respond to external forces and how to design them to be more stable.

5. What are some practical applications of coupled pendulums and the wave equation?

Coupled pendulums and the wave equation have numerous practical applications in various fields, including seismology, acoustics, and electronics. They are also used in the design and analysis of mechanical and structural systems, as well as in the development of new technologies, such as laser interferometry and musical instruments.

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