The pendulum is released from rest with θ = 30deg

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Alexanddros81
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Homework Statement


13.54 The pentulum is released from rest with θ = 30deg. (a) Derive the equation of motion
using θ as the independent variable. (b) Determine the speed of the bob as a function of θ.
Free-body diagram of a simple pendulum hung from a pivot point O by a 2 m rod, with the bob of 0.5 kg displaced to the right, angle θ measured from the vertical dashed line through O, and the lowest point of the arc labelled A.


The solutions given in the textbok are a) ##\ddot θ = -4.905sinθ rad/s^2##
b) ##6.26\sqrt {cosθ - 0.866} m/s##

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



Handwritten derivation of pendulum equations: tangential force balance gives θ̈ = -4.905 sinθ, and radial force balance gives θ̇ = √(7.5 - 4.905 cosθ), leading to v = 2√(7.5 - 4.905 cosθ).
[/B]
I understand something is not correct.
I guess the positive direction for the bob now is to the left.
 
Where did the 7.5 come from? You have not been given the tension, you have been given that the bob is released from rest.
 
Hi! After doing some research on the web I came up with the following solution (by an engineer)
I don't understand though why he took ##a_T## to be ##-rα##. Does it has to do with the
the tangential and radial axes sense?
He mentions ##F=ma_T## as an inertial force.

Handwritten physics working: a pendulum of length r with mass at angle theta from vertical, plus free-body diagrams with forces T, W, R and F = ma_T, followed by equations W_T = mg sin theta, a_T = -r alpha, and the separated equation g sin theta d theta = -r omega d omega.


Handwritten derivation of pendulum speed: integral of sin θ dθ equals integral of ω dω, giving ω = sqrt(2g/r (cos θ − cos θ0)), then v = rω = 2·sqrt(9.81/2 (cos θ − cos 30)) = 6.26 sqrt(cos θ − 0.866).
 
Alexanddros81 said:
took ##a_T## to be −rα
If you start with arc length = radius x arc angle then differentiate twice wrt time you will get this. The sign depends on your conventions. In vectors, ##\vec {a_T}=\vec r\times\ddot{\vec\theta}##.
You can get the second result (velocity) by integrating or by work conservation.
 
Alexanddros81 said:
Hi! After doing some research on the web I came up with the following solution (by an engineer)
I don't understand though why he took ##a_T## to be ##-rα##. Does it has to do with the
the tangential and radial axes sense?
He mentions ##F=ma_T## as an inertial force.

View attachment 212931

View attachment 212937
Your last result v = 6.26√(cosθ - cos30deg) is correct.