Move Pendulum: Forces, Positions & Arbitrary Movements

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  • Thread starter Thread starter mangaluve
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    Pendulum
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around simulating a pendulum in computer graphics, specifically focusing on how to update the pendulum's position when the pivot point is moved arbitrarily. Participants explore the forces acting on the pendulum and the implications of different types of motion for the pivot point.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to simulate a pendulum where the pivot can be moved arbitrarily, questioning which forces act on the pendulum and how to update its position.
  • Another participant notes that the constraints on the pivot's motion affect the complexity of the transformation, suggesting that constant velocity or acceleration simplifies the process.
  • A later reply suggests using the Lagrangian formalism to facilitate the simulation, indicating it is particularly useful for computer simulations.
  • One participant expresses interest in resources for the Lagrangian formalism, indicating a preference for not delving too deeply into the subject as it is a casual project.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of the pivot's motion constraints but do not reach a consensus on the best approach for arbitrary movements or the specific forces involved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the complexities involved in simulating arbitrary movements of the pendulum or the specific forces acting on it, leaving these aspects open for further exploration.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in computer graphics, physics simulations, and those looking to understand the dynamics of pendulum motion in a programming context may find this discussion relevant.

mangaluve
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I'm doing some computer graphics and I'm pretty new to physics/mechanics. Right now I'm simulating a pendulum. But now I want to be able to move the pendulum to, the point to which the string is connected (for instance if I hold the pendulum between my fingers and move my hand). Now which forces are acting on the pendulum now, how can I update it's position? I'm simulating everything with a computer, so I want the movements to be arbitrary.
 
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mangaluve said:
I'm doing some computer graphics and I'm pretty new to physics/mechanics. Right now I'm simulating a pendulum. But now I want to be able to move the pendulum to, the point to which the string is connected (for instance if I hold the pendulum between my fingers and move my hand). Now which forces are acting on the pendulum now, how can I update it's position? I'm simulating everything with a computer, so I want the movements to be arbitrary.
Welcome to Physics Forums.

That all depends on the constraints placed on the motion of the pivot. If the pivot is contained to moved with a constant velocity, then the transformation is straight forward. If the pivot is accelerating at a constant rate, then the transformation is still fairly straightforward. If however, the pivot is allowed to accelerate arbitrarily then things could become a little more involved.
 
Thanks! Well actually I want to be able to move the pivot around with the mouse..any hints?
 
You might want to look into the Lagrangian formalism. It makes these sorts of things a lot easier, and it is especially apt to producing good things for computer simulations.

Using it requires some calculus, but that should be expected.
 
Thanks, any good links? Calculus is no problem...
Actually I don't need to get too much and deep information, this is just something I do for fun as a graphical effect
 

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