Linearising compound pendulum equation

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the linearization of the compound pendulum equation T=2π√(K² + h²)/gh, where K is a known constant. The user aims to derive the gravitational constant g by plotting T against h. Through various attempts, including implicit differentiation and Taylor approximation, the user ultimately concludes that plotting h² against h*T² will yield a y-intercept of -K² and a gradient of g/4π². This approach simplifies the problem and provides a clear method to extract g from the graph.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of compound pendulum dynamics
  • Familiarity with linearization techniques in physics
  • Knowledge of Taylor series approximation
  • Basic graphing skills for plotting equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn about Taylor series expansion for functions
  • Study the principles of graphing linear equations
  • Explore the concept of radius of gyration in physics
  • Investigate methods for measuring gravitational acceleration (g)
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in physics, particularly those studying dynamics and pendulum motion, as well as researchers interested in experimental methods for determining gravitational constants.

seboastien
Messages
52
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Linearise T=2pi√(K^2 + h^2)/gh K is known constant

This is a compound pendulum equation, I want to plot some kind of formula with variable T against some kind of formula with variable H in order to find g from the gradient.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



so I've got T/2pi all squared times g all substituted to x, h subbed to y and k^2 subbed to constant C and I've got the equation y^2 -yx + C=0 and tried to solve for y=x+β

I've tried implicit differentiation and it's gotten me nowhere
 
Physics news on Phys.org
hi seboastien! :smile:

(try using the X2 button just above the Reply box :wink:)
seboastien said:
Linearise T=2pi√(K^2 + h^2)/gh K is known constant

This is a compound pendulum equation, I want to plot some kind of formula with variable T against some kind of formula with variable H in order to find g from the gradient.

if K is a known constant, can't you make one of the axes √(h2 + K2) ?
 
I would have to make the axis √((h^2 + K^2)/gh ) but that is a good point.

However, I would still like to know how I could linearise it further. I know that a taylor approximation is needed but I don't know how to, or what a value to choose
 
√(1 + (h2/K2) = 1 + (h2/K2)/2 + … :wink:
 
??
 
if h/K is small, then √(1 + (h2/K2)) = 1 + (h2/K2)/2 + …
 
hmmm, my only issue is that its the sqrt of K^2 + h^2 divided by gh

it also turns out that k is the radius of gyration and I have no scales to measure the pendulum's mass. I believe I need a y=mx + c where the y intercept will be determined by k, g by m, x by T and h by y.

is there any way of achieving this?
 
seboastien said:
it also turns out that k is the radius of gyration and I have no scales to measure the pendulum's mass. I believe I need a y=mx + c where the y intercept will be determined by k, g by m, x by T and h by y.

i'm confused :redface:

you said that K was known :confused:
seboastien said:
Linearise T=2pi√(K^2 + h^2)/gh K is known constant
 
That's because I thought I was allowed to measure the pendulums mass.

Don't worry I've worked it out...finally, turns out I've been overcomplicating things.

I'll just plot a graph of h^2 against h*T^2 the y intercept will be -k^2 and the gradient will be g/4pi^2.

Thanks anyway.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
8K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
7K