Determine pendulum's maximum angular displacement

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To determine the maximum angular displacement of a simple pendulum with a length of 1.23 m and an initial speed of 1.96 m/s, the discussion emphasizes using energy conservation principles. The kinetic energy at the lowest point is equated to the potential energy at the maximum height, expressed as 0.5mv^2 = mgh. Participants suggest visualizing the pendulum's position as a right triangle to find the height (h) and subsequently the apex angle. Clarification on how to derive the angle from the triangle's dimensions is provided, leading to a better understanding of the setup. The conversation concludes with a successful resolution of the problem.
Sheneron
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[SOLVED] Simple Pendulum

Homework Statement


A simple pendulum with a length of 1.23 m and a mass of 6.64 kg is given an initial speed of 1.96 m/s at its equilibrium position.
(a) Assuming it undergoes simple harmonic motion, determine its period.
(b) Determine its total energy.
(c) Determine its maximum angular displacement. (For large v, and/or small l, the small angle approximation may not be good enough here.)

The Attempt at a Solution


I have solved up to part c), and I can't figure out how to set it up. I thought at first it was
.5mv^2 = mgh and then solving for h, but once I get h I am not sure what to do. Can someone help me get this set up? Thanks.
 
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Sheneron said:
I thought at first it was
.5mv^2 = mgh and then solving for h, but once I get h I am not sure what to do. Can someone help me get this set up? Thanks.

That is what you want to do. So the pendulum bob is now at a height h (what is the value?) above the bottom of the pendulum's arc. Draw a picture of the pendulum tilted off the vertical so that the length of the pendulum is 1.23 m and the bob is at a height h from the lowest point of the swing. The pendulum shaft is now the hypotenuse of a right triangle. What must the altitude of that triangle be? From that, how do you find the apex angle of that triangle?
 
Excellent, made sense. Thanks for the help
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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