Equation Demonstration -- Simple Pendulum Analysis

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on transitioning from the differential equation of a simple pendulum to its solution in terms of harmonic motion. The initial equation for small oscillations is established as \(\ddot{\theta} + \frac{g}{L} \theta = 0\), leading to the need for a mathematical demonstration to reach the solution \(\theta = \theta_0 \sin(\omega t + \phi)\) with \(\omega^2 = \frac{g}{L}\). Participants clarify that the general solution can be derived using linear combinations of sine and cosine functions, which are solutions to the second-order homogeneous differential equation. The discussion emphasizes that while the derivation might seem complex, it ultimately requires basic knowledge of trigonometric derivatives to validate the transition between the two forms. The conversation concludes with the acknowledgment that the core task is to demonstrate that the second formula is indeed a solution to the first.
Frankie
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Homework Statement
I need the demonstration of the simple pendulum "hourly law".
Relevant Equations
I've attached images
I've just studied simple pendulum: The simple pendulum (for small oscillations) differential equation is first image.
I've no problem to arrive this result and formula.
My problem is to get to the second formula by passing through another formula (Image 3) that my book mentions. I can't understand the passage.

Image 3 refers to acceleration expressed as a function of the position, is a simple harmonic motion.

In the image 3 last formula refers to centre where x0 = 0 and v0=ωA

My book: "For small oscillations the diffential equation becomes that of image 1 and coincides with that of the simple harmonic motion shown in image 3 set ω2 = g / L.
In conclusion, the motion of the pendulum is harmonic oscillatory when the amplitude of the oscillations is small so that senθ ≅ θ"
And then arrives at image2.

I would need to switch from the first to the second formula.

Thank you in advance.

Formula_1.jpeg
Image 1

Formula_2.jpeg
Image 2

Formula_3.jpg
Image 3
 
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If ##\theta## is small, then the ##x##-coordinate of the pendulum bob is ##x = L\sin{\theta} \approx L \theta##, hence if ##\theta## satisfies ##\ddot{\theta} = -\omega^2 \theta##, then ##L\ddot{\theta} = -\omega^2 L\theta \implies \ddot{x} = -\omega^2 x## in this regime. The integral they wrote down gives$$\int_{x_0}^{x} \ddot{x} dx = \int_{x_0}^x -\omega^2 x dx = \frac{1}{2} \omega^2(x_0^2 - x^2)$$However, since ##dx = \dot{x} dt##, you could also write that very same integral as$$\int_{x_0}^{x} \ddot{x} dx = \int_{t_0}^{t} \ddot{x} \dot{x} dt = \int_{t_0}^t \frac{d}{dt} \left( \frac{1}{2} \dot{x}^2 \right) dt = \frac{1}{2}v^2 - \frac{1}{2}v_0^2$$Hence, equating these gives$$\frac{1}{2} \omega^2(x_0^2 - x^2) = \frac{1}{2}v^2 - \frac{1}{2}v_0^2 \implies v^2 = v_0^2 + \omega^2 (x_0^2 - x^2)$$Does that answer your questions?
 
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etotheipi said:
If ##\theta## is small, then the ##x##-coordinate of the pendulum bob is ##x = L\sin{\theta} \approx L \theta##, hence if ##\theta## satisfies ##\ddot{\theta} = -\omega^2 \theta##, then ##L\ddot{\theta} = -\omega^2 L\theta \implies \ddot{x} = -\omega^2 x## in this regime. The integral they wrote down gives$$\int_{x_0}^{x} \ddot{x} dx = \int_{x_0}^x -\omega^2 x dx = \frac{1}{2} \omega^2(x_0^2 - x^2)$$However, since ##dx = \dot{x} dt##, you could also write that very same integral as$$\int_{x_0}^{x} \ddot{x} dx = \int_{t_0}^{t} \ddot{x} \dot{x} dt = \int_{t_0}^t \frac{d}{dt} \left( \frac{1}{2} \dot{x}^2 \right) dt = \frac{1}{2}v^2 - \frac{1}{2}v_0^2$$Hence, equating these gives$$\frac{1}{2} \omega^2(x_0^2 - x^2) = \frac{1}{2}v^2 - \frac{1}{2}v_0^2 \implies v^2 = v_0^2 + \omega^2 (x_0^2 - x^2)$$Does that answer your questions?
At first thank you. You have already helped me a lot and the coincidence you demonstrated is clear, but now

i can't understand this:

on a theoretical-physical level I've understood it, I miss the mathematical step

how can i pass from $$\ddot{\theta} + \frac{g}{L} \theta = 0 $$ to $$\theta = {\theta_0} \sin({ωt} +∅)$$

with ω2 = g / L.

Thanks again.
 
This is a second order homogenous differential equation in ##\theta(t)##. As with any differential equation of this form, you can trial solutions of the form ##e^{\lambda t}## and then write the complementary equation,$$\lambda^2 + \frac{g}{L} = 0 \implies \theta = \pm \sqrt{-\frac{g}{L}} = \pm i \sqrt{\frac{g}{L}} = \pm i \omega$$where we defined ##\omega := \sqrt{\frac{g}{L}}##. This means that our general solution is $$\theta(t) = Ae^{i \omega t} + Be^{-i \omega t} = (A+B)\cos{\omega t} + (A-B)i \sin{\omega t}$$or more simply, by collecting those coefficients into two arbitrary constants$$\theta(t) = C\cos{\omega t} + D\sin{\omega t} = E \sin{(\omega t + \phi)}$$Now you can use the boundary conditions to determine ##E## and ##\phi##.
 
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The pass is briefly as follows (this is in homework section so i cannot say the full details)

First we make two guesses that the functions ##f_1=\sin\omega t## and ##f_2=\cos\omega t## (##\omega^2=\frac{g}{L}##) verify the differential equation. Hence we know two solutions.

We know that these two solutions are linearly independent.

Then there is a theorem from the theory of vector spaces and differential equations that if for a linear differential equation of order ##n## we know ##n## linearly independent solutions ##f_1,f_2,...,f_n## then the general solution is $$f=\lambda_1f_1+\lambda_2f_2+...+\lambda_nf_n$$ where the ##\lambda_i## are any real numbers.

We apply this theorem for n=2 (the order of differential equation in this problem is 2). Then it is a matter of some trigonometry and simple algebra to prove that the general solution is equivalent to the form given in your post. (I see now that @etotheipi has posted something relevant to this).
 
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Frankie said:
Homework Statement:: I need the demonstration of the simple pendulum "hourly law".
Relevant Equations:: I've attached images

I would need to switch from the first to the second formula.

Thank you in advance.

formula_1-jpeg.jpg
formula_1-jpeg.jpg
Image 1

formula_2-jpeg.jpg
formula_2-jpeg.jpg
Image 2

Just to simplify things a little. It is difficult to ab initio generate the solution to image 1 and obtain image 2...this is the stuff of entire courses on differential equations.
Happily for the purposes of this exercise it is necessary only to show that image 2 is a solution to image 1. This requires only the ability to take derivatives of trig functions. The rest is all correct but not really necessary and probably off-putting.
 
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