Determine pendulum's maximum angular displacement

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the maximum angular displacement of a simple pendulum with a length of 1.23 m and a mass of 6.64 kg, given an initial speed of 1.96 m/s. The participants confirm that the energy conservation principle, expressed as 0.5mv² = mgh, is the correct approach to find the height (h) of the pendulum bob above its lowest point. To determine the maximum angular displacement, one must visualize the pendulum as a right triangle and calculate the apex angle using trigonometric relationships.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of simple harmonic motion
  • Knowledge of energy conservation principles in physics
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions and right triangles
  • Ability to solve for height in a pendulum system
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the period of a simple pendulum using the formula T = 2π√(l/g)
  • Determine the total mechanical energy of the pendulum system
  • Explore the derivation of maximum angular displacement using trigonometric identities
  • Investigate the limitations of the small angle approximation in pendulum motion
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and oscillatory motion, as well as educators looking for practical examples of pendulum dynamics.

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
 

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