Damping effect of swinging pendulum affect period?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the damping effect of a magnetic pendulum, specifically a bar magnet suspended by a string above a conductor. It establishes that Foucault currents generated in the conductor slow down the pendulum's swing, reducing its amplitude. The key question raised is whether this damping effect also alters the period of oscillation. It is concluded that damping does indeed decrease the frequency of the pendulum, resulting in an increased period of oscillation, which is dependent on the level of damping applied.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Foucault currents and their impact on motion
  • Knowledge of simple harmonic motion (S.H.M.) principles
  • Familiarity with damping effects in oscillatory systems
  • Basic concepts of magnetic fields and pendulum mechanics
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  • Research the mathematical modeling of damped harmonic oscillators
  • Explore the effects of varying damping coefficients on pendulum motion
  • Learn about the relationship between amplitude decay and frequency changes in oscillatory systems
  • Investigate practical applications of Foucault currents in engineering and physics
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Physics students, mechanical engineers, and hobbyists interested in pendulum mechanics and the effects of damping on oscillatory motion.

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Lets say i have a magnetic pendulm, (basically a barmagnet suspended from a with a string tabletop) and a conductor at the bottom.

The conductor will ofcourse have Foucault currents generated in it, and this due to conservation of energy, will slow down the swinging of the pendulum, reducing the "amplitude" of its swing.

But my question is, will it also reduce the period it takes for the pendulum to oscillate?
Is the rate at which the amplitude decays, proportional to the decrease in speed so as to preserve the time taken?
 
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Let me answer this by asking another question.......When the conductor is present does the pendulum still move with S.H.M.?
 
Damping of a pendulum causes a (small) decrease in its frequency and thus the period increases. How much has to do with how much damping you apply.

What do you mean exactly when you say "Is the rate at which the amplitude decays, proportional to the decrease in speed so as to preserve the time taken?"
 

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