What Angle Does a Pendulum Form When It Stops?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a pendulum of 2 meters in length that reaches a velocity of 4 m/s at its lowest point and then swings back up before coming to a stop. The goal is to determine the angle it forms with the vertical at that stopping point, assuming negligible air resistance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to relate kinetic energy and potential energy to find the height at which the pendulum stops, but expresses uncertainty about how to find the angle from the height and radius.
  • Some participants suggest that the height and the radius can be used to find the angle, prompting further clarification.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the relationship between the height of the pendulum and its radius. Some guidance has been offered regarding the components involved, but there is still a lack of clarity on how to proceed with finding the angle.

Contextual Notes

The original poster notes that they do not have two components to find the angle, which indicates a potential misunderstanding of the geometric relationships involved in the problem.

ThatDude
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Homework Statement



A 2 meter long pendulum passes its lowest point with a velocity of 4 m/s, then swings back up before temporarily coming to a stop. What angle does it then form with the vertical, if the air resistance is negligible?

2. The attempt at a solution

I know that the kinetic energy at the bottom will equal the potential energy at the top - that is when the pendulum comes to a temporary stop.

KE = PE

(1/2)(m)(16) = (m)(g)(h)

h = 0.82 meters

Now, I understand that this is the max height above the lowest point.

I can't figure out how to proceed from here. I don't have two components to find the angle.
 
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Actually you do have two components, you have the height at the instance where it is coming to rest, and you have the radius of the pendulum.
 
Panphobia said:
Actually you do have two components, you have the height at the instance where it is coming to rest, and you have the radius of the pendulum.

I don't quite follow.
 

Attachments

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    Pcl.png
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The vertical, dashed line is the radius as well.
What happens if you add a horizontal line at the height of your object?
 

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