Pendulum Damping Force Calculation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the damping force of a pendulum using Stokes' Law. The original poster presents various parameters of the pendulum, including the radius of the sphere, viscosity of air, mass of the object, length of the pendulum, and the time period.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the damping force and velocity, using provided equations. Some participants question the accuracy of the viscosity value and the resulting damping force calculation. Others express concern about the magnitude of the damping force compared to gravitational forces.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the viscosity value and its impact on the damping force. Some guidance has been offered regarding the viscosity, but no consensus has been reached on the calculations or assumptions.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing potential errors in the values used for viscosity and gravitational force, which may affect the calculations. The original poster's initial assumptions and calculations are under scrutiny.

geordieman101
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[SOLVED] Pendulum Damping Force

Homework Statement


I am attempting to find the damping force of my pendulum using Stokes' Law. However, I am having trouble finding the velocity of the spherical object to get this damping force.
The radius of the sphere is 0.014m, the viscosity of air is 1.82 x10^5, the mass of the object is 0.035kg, the length of the pendulum is 2.3m, the time period is 3.274s
The pendulum was released from an amplitude of 100cm, at an angle of 23.5 degrees or 0.41 radians

Homework Equations


F(damping)=-6πrηv
v=rw
2π/w=T=2πr/v

The Attempt at a Solution


Using 2π/w i managed to get the angular velocity of 1.92rad/s and therefore my calculation for the velocity is 0.02688m/s, and thus my calculation for the damping force as 1291N, but this seems to be too large compared to the weight in the opposite direction of the force being shown via mgsinθ or in this case mgθ
 
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1291N is ridiculous. Isn't the exponent on the viscosity of air number -5, not +5.?
 
yes it is, my bad, but this would give the damping force as 1.29x10^-7N, surely this would be too small compared to 0.14N is what I am getting for the force of mgθ, the force due to gravity also seems incorrect to me as well
 
I get the same thing for the damping force. Air is not very viscous. I don't see anything wrong with your g force either.
 

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