Trajectory of pendulum in frame of rotating disk under it

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the trajectory of a pendulum in a rotating frame, specifically a circular disk rotating with a constant angular velocity (ω). The derived equation of motion for the pendulum is $$\ddot{u}+2ωi\dot{u}+Ω^{2}u=0$$, where u represents the complex variable $$x+iy$$. The analysis reveals that when the angular frequency of the pendulum (Ω) equals that of the disk (ω), the pendulum exhibits circular motion, resembling the behavior of Foucault's pendulum. The participants debate the implications of the characteristic equation and the conditions under which the pendulum's trajectory transitions to a "flower" pattern.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of pendulum dynamics and angular motion
  • Familiarity with complex variables and differential equations
  • Knowledge of Foucault's pendulum and its mathematical representation
  • Basic principles of rotating reference frames
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and implications of the Foucault pendulum equations
  • Learn about the stability of trajectories in rotating frames
  • Explore the mathematical techniques for solving second-order differential equations
  • Investigate the effects of varying angular velocities on pendulum motion
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Physics students, mechanical engineers, and anyone interested in the dynamics of pendulums in rotating systems will benefit from this discussion.

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Homework Statement


Consider the pendulum depicted in the adjacent figure: a mass m
is attached to non stretching chord of length `. Directly below the
pendulum is a circular disc rotating with constant angular velocity
w. We attach to the disk a frame whose x-axis is in the plane of the
pendulum and the pendulum is in the extremal position to the right
at t = 0.

Compute the coordinates x and y of the pendulum in the rotating
frame as a function of t when the maximal angle of deflection qmax
is assumed small. And what curve does the motion of the pendulum correspond to in
the rotating frame if w = √(g/l). (Which is angular freq. of pendulum)Example of the situation (Starting from 0:49):

Homework Equations


[/B]
Same way as with Foucalt's pendulum, I've derived equation $$\ddot{u}+2ωi\dot{u}+Ω^{2}u=0$$
Where u is complex variable $$x+iy$$
ω is angular frequency of the disk and Ω of the pendulum
And the coordinate axes (x,y) in rotating plane is considered as complex plane here.

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
Solving characteristic equaton yields$$m^2 + 2ωim+Ω^2=0⇒m=-iω±√(i^2ω^2-Ω^2)$$

Now if this is solved for u, I get$$u=Ae^{-i(ω+√(Ω^2+ω^2))t}Be^{-i(ω-√(Ω^2+ω^2))t}$$

But then, if Ω = ω it seemingly should be that motion of pendulum in frame of rotating disk is circular. And if I plug that in the equation above, the trajectory seems to do same kind of "flower" as Foucalt's pendulum.

Then if the characteristic equation would instead yield $$⇒m=-iω±√(ω^2-Ω^2)$$ then the latter term would cancel out, and we would get (I suppose) circular motion of form:$$Ccos(√(g/l)t)+iDsin(√(g/l)t)$$

Which I have assumed what would be right answer. So what is problem with that 2. order characteristic equation, why doesn't imaginary unit's second power appear in the first terminside the square root? Or could that be right, and something else wrong here?

In example of Foucalt's pendulum, that equation was solved to form where there isn't 2. power of i in the first term inside sq. root, as in the term stayed positive, so that's why my first assumpton is that there's something I'm missing.
 
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Then if the characteristic equation would instead yield...
... but does it yield that?
Which I have assumed what would be right answer...
On what basis are you making this assumption?
So what is problem with that 2. order characteristic equation, why doesn't imaginary unit's second power appear in the first term inside the square root?
... which 2nd order equation? (This is where it is useful to number your equations.)
Do you mean: ##m = -i\omega \pm \sqrt{\omega^2-\Omega^2}## ?
Then the answer is "I dunno" - you were the one who wrote it: why did you leave it out?
It looks like you left it out because you thought it would be nice to do so.

Your objection to just following the maths seems to be:
But then, if Ω = ω it seemingly should be that motion of pendulum in frame of rotating disk is circular. And if I plug that in the equation above, the trajectory seems to do same kind of "flower" as Foucalt's pendulum.
... since the pendulum should pass through the origin in both reference frames, circular motion is a problem, and I don't see how that somehow turns into the "flower" trajectory.
I'm guessing you have covered Foucault's pendulum in class, with a derivation. The approach here should be just about identical with F's P at a pole.
So what happens with that case that is different from this one?[FONT=PT Sans, san-serif]
 

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