# "Linear Model" of a Pendulum via Euler's Method

• MATLAB
In my problem the linear modal is defined as the first term in the series expansion of $\sin(x)$ so:

$$\sin(x) = x - \frac{x^{3}}{3!}+\dots$$

$\sin(x) = x$ is the linear modal.

So with this, I then have to write $\frac{d^{2}x}{dt^{2}} = -\sin(x)$ as a system of $x^{\prime}$ and $y^{\prime}$, so:
$$x^{\prime} = y$$
$$y^{\prime} = \sin(x)$$

I tried the linear modal in Euler's method, with initial conditions X(1) = 1 and V(1)=0 :

Code:
for i = 1:1000
V(i+1) = V(i)-(1.*s) ;
X(i+1) = V(i);
end

Where s is the step size. But apparently I'm supposed to get a circle when I plot V with respect to X which makes sense, but all I get is a straight line.

If I change it to:

Code:
for i = 1:1000
V(i+1) = V(i)-(X(i).*s) ;
X(i+1) = V(i);
end

With s=0.8 I get a spiral, which looks like a development but I'm no closer to the circular shape that I am expecting. I think I just need a fresh pair of eyes to see where perhaps an obvious error lies.

jedishrfu
Mentor
In your example the sin(x) = x approximation has the understanding that x is in radians and that its true for small angles <10 degrees or so.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small-angle_approximation