Formula for maximum angular frequency and velocity

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the formula for maximum angular frequency and velocity of a pendulum, specifically Vmax = Wmax x L and Wmax = Wθmax. Here, Vmax represents the maximum speed of the pendulum bob, Wmax denotes the maximum angular speed, and L is the length of the pendulum. The participants clarify that Wmax = ωmax = θmax√(g/L), where g is the acceleration due to gravity, and θmax is the maximum deflection angle. This formula is essential for understanding the dynamics of pendulum motion.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic pendulum mechanics
  • Familiarity with angular frequency and angular velocity concepts
  • Knowledge of trigonometric functions and their applications in physics
  • Basic grasp of gravitational acceleration (g) and its effects on motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the pendulum motion equations, focusing on Vmax and ωmax
  • Explore the relationship between angular frequency and period in oscillatory motion
  • Investigate the effects of varying pendulum length (L) on angular frequency
  • Learn about energy conservation in pendulum systems and its implications on motion
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in the mechanics of oscillatory motion, particularly in understanding pendulum dynamics and related formulas.

MenchiKatsu
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I can't seem to find it anywhere
What does this formula mean ? I can't find it anywhere. Vmax=Wmax x L. And Wmax=Wθmax. It came up in the pendulum chapter. L is string length.
 
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I can imagine that Vmax=Wmax x L is actually ##V_{\text{max}}=\omega_{\text{max}}L## where
##V_{\text{max}}=~## maximum speed of the pendulum bob
##\omega_{\text{max}}=~## maximum angular speed of the pendulum relative to the point of support
##L=~## the length of the pendulum.

I cannot imagine what Wmax=Wθmax could be.
 
MenchiKatsu said:
And Wmax=Wθmax. It came up in the pendulum chapter. L is string length.
$$\omega_\text{max} = \omega \theta_\text{max}$$I will make a guess at this one. The notation is confusing because there are two different omegas (##\omega##) being considered here.

On the left hand side of the equality we have ##\omega_\text{max}## which is the rotation rate (in radians per unit of time) for the pendulum at the bottom of its swing.

On the right hand side of the equality we have ##\omega## which is the angular frequency of the oscillations of the pendulum.

Finally we have ##\theta_\text{max}## which is the maximum deflection angle of the pendulum from the vertical.

For instance...

If we have a one meter pendulum under earth gravity, its period is about two seconds. This is an angular frequency (##\omega##) of about ##2 \pi## radians per ##2## seconds. Or about one radian per second.

If this pendulum is launched from rest at a deflection angle (##\theta_\text{max}##) of ##0.1## radians from the vertical, the equation asserts that the rotation rate (##\omega_\text{max}##) of the pendulum at the bottom of its arc will be ##0.1## radians per second.
 
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jbriggs444 said:
I will make a guess at this one. The notation is confusing because there are two different omegas (ω) being considered here.
I agree. It should be something like $$\omega_{\text{max}}=\theta_{\text{max}}\sqrt{\frac{g}{L}}$$ where ##\omega## is a reserved symbol for the angular speed of the pendulum bob.
 
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