How Many Oscillations and Amplitude of a Damped Pendulum in 4 Hours?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the number of oscillations and the amplitude of a damped pendulum over a four-hour period. The pendulum has a mass of 110 kg and a damping constant of 0.010 kg/s, with a wire length of 15.0 m. The user attempted to use the equation x=A_0 e^(-(b/2m)t) cos(ωt + φ) to determine the amplitude and oscillations but faced challenges with the angular frequency and the correct application of the damping factor. The conclusion emphasizes the need for precise calculations due to the damping effect, which reduces the total number of oscillations below 14400.

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Homework Statement



Given: "In a science museum, a 110 kg brass pendulum bob swings at the end of a 15.0-m-long wire. The pendulum is started at exactly 8:00 a.m. every morning by pulling it 1.5 m to the side and releasing it. Because of its compact shape and smooth surface, the pendulum's damping constant is only 0.010 kg/s."

Questions:

(1) At exactly 12:00 noon, how many oscillations will the pendulum have completed?

(2) And what is its amplitude?

Homework Equations



None Given

The Attempt at a Solution



I used the equation x=A_{}0 e ^{}-(b/2m)t cos( \varpi \acute{} t+\phi)

I used the first bit of the equation to find the exact amplitude t(x) when x=14400 (x=A_{}0e^{}-(b/2m)t to find the amplitude)

But the trouble I'm having is the number of oscillations in the 4 hour period.

I took the angular frequency (\varpi\acute{}) and multiplied that by the number of seconds (14400), but the resulting answer was incorrect. Since \phi=0, taking the cosine of (\varpi\acute{}) gives another answer, but I'm not confident that it is the correct answer, and I don't want to stab in the dark until I get it right.

I'm a bit stuck.

Since this is damped oscillation, and the initial period is greater than one second, the number HAS to be less than 14400.

Any help? Am I on the right track? Is there something I'm missing?

Note: It doesn't seem that the latex is putting superscripts in the correct locations, so please bear with me.
 
Last edited:
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have a look at the thread in intro physics.
 
Thank you! All solved.
 

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