Nonlinear graph in the Physical Pendulum

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on an experiment using a physical pendulum to measure gravitational acceleration (g), revealing a nonlinear trend in the resulting graph. This trend appears as the pivot point approaches the centroid, contradicting the expected linear behavior under small-amplitude oscillations. The participants speculate that the damping force may contribute to this deviation, suggesting that as the distance (d) from the pivot point to the centroid decreases, the oscillations transition from small to significant, impacting the linearity of the graph.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of physical pendulum dynamics
  • Familiarity with gravitational acceleration measurement techniques
  • Knowledge of damping forces in oscillatory systems
  • Basic grasp of nonlinear dynamics and chaotic behavior
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effects of damping forces on pendulum motion
  • Explore the mathematical modeling of nonlinear oscillations
  • Study the relationship between pivot point positioning and oscillation amplitude
  • Investigate chaotic behavior in physical systems and its implications
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and researchers interested in experimental mechanics, particularly those studying pendulum dynamics and nonlinear oscillatory behavior.

omicgavp
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
We did an experiment using the physical pendulum to measure gravitational acceleration g. A graph is shown in this link:
http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt20/omicgavp/measuringggraph.jpg"

A nonlinear (possibly chaotic) trend can be seen in our graph even though we assumed small-amplitude oscillations. This trend has been observed as the pivot point goes near to the centroid. How did this happen? It disagrees with our equation (theory) found in the link! Can this be due to the damping force?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
T=period, I=moment of inertia, M=mass of the system, g=gravitational acceleration, d=distance from pivot point to centroid
 
I guess when d decreases, the otherwise small-amplitude oscillations become not so small, and that is why the graph is no longer linear.
 

Similar threads

Graduate Modeling the damping of a physical rigid pendulum
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Alternative Approach to Solving Foucault's Pendulum Behavior
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Foucault Pendulum at the North Pole
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Understanding T^2 x L Graphing for Simple Pendulum Experiment
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
6K
Undergrad Is nonlinear acoustics in mainstream physics?
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
5K
Simple Pendulum Amplitude Investigation: Graph and Uncertainty Analysis
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Graduate Quantization isn't fundamental
  • · Replies 163 ·
6
Replies
163
Views
29K
Experimental physics - simplified compound pendulum formula
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
How Does Graphing Time Squared Reveal Pendulum Dynamics?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
8K
The physical pendulum - distance, period, and angular frequency
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
10K