Harmonic pendilum

1. Dec 7, 2009

joemama69

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

A pendulum consists of a solid, uniform sphere of mass M and radius
R attached to one end of a thin, uniform rod of mass m and length L.
The pendulum swings freely about the other end of the rod. Find the
period of small oscillations of this pendulum.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

T = -mhgsinQ = Ia = Id2Q/dt2

d2Q/dt2 +mghsinQ/I = 0

does sinQ = Q for small approx

should i also be able to find the actual I

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2. Dec 9, 2009

AEM

It almost seems from the way the problem is worded that you are expected to use

$$\tau = I \alpha$$

where tau is the torque, I is the moment of inertia, and alpha is the angular acceleration. Once you have set up the differential equation that goes with this, you can pick off what you need to answer the question.

Assuming that is the case, the torque is the force (due to gravity) times the distance from the center of mass of the ball to the pivot point, plus the force acting on the center of mass of the rod times the distance between the center of mass of the rod to the pivot point:

$$Mg sin(\theta) (R+L) + mg sin(\theta) (\frac{L}{2})$$

The moment of inertia for the system is the sum of the moment of inertia of the ball about the distant pivot point (use the parallel axis theorem) plus the moment of inertia of the rod about the end point (pivot point). I'll let you figure that out. (One of those two moments of inertia you can look up.)

$$(I_{total}) \frac{d^2 \theta} {d^2 t} = \tau$$