What Is the Correct Equation of Motion for a Pendulum at Any Amplitude?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on determining the correct equation of motion for a pendulum with a point mass attached to a thread of length l, oscillating at an amplitude θ. The relevant equation of motion is given as d²φ/dt² = -g/l * sin(φ), which describes the pendulum's dynamics. While small angle approximations can simplify the analysis, the original poster does not specify that the angles are small, leading to ambiguity in the required solution. Participants note that there is no analytic solution for the pendulum's motion at larger amplitudes, and the equations provided for x(t) and y(t) do not satisfy the initial conditions. The conversation emphasizes the complexity of the pendulum's motion beyond small angles, indicating the need for further clarification on the desired approach.
olgerm
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Homework Statement


what is equation of motion for pendulum?pendulum is made of pointmass, which mass is m, is fixed to thread ,which length is l? Oscillation aplitude is θ.Other side of thread is fixed in (0;0;0)point. at time t=0
t=0;y=0<br /> ;z=0<br /> ;φ=θ

Homework Equations


\frac{dφ^2}{dt^2}=-\frac{g}{l}*Sin(φ)

The Attempt at a Solution


x(t)=?
y(t)=0
z(t)=0
t(t)=t
 
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Small angle approximation!
 

Homework Statement


what is equation of motion for pendulum?pendulum is made of pointmass, which mass is m, is fixed to thread ,which length is l? Oscillation aplitude is θ.Other side of thread is fixed in (0;0;0)point. at time t=0
t=0;<br /> ;z=0<br /> ;φ=θ

Homework Equations


\frac{dφ^2}{dt^2}=-\frac{g}{l}*Sin(φ)

The Attempt at a Solution


x(t)=?
y(t)=?
z(t)=0
t(t)=t
 
Dr. Courtney said:
Small angle approximation!
What is small angel approximation ? The relevant equation I wrote?
 
olgerm said:
What is small angel approximation ? The relevant equation I wrote?
Google it.
 
Draw a picture! If the line of the pendulum is at angle \theta to the vertical the force acting on the pendulum bob is straight down but the pendulum string prevents the bob from moving straight down. Divide the force into components perpendicular to and parallel to the circular arc the pendulum bob makes. The use "force= mass times acceleration".
 
φ=θ*sin(\sqrt{\frac{g}{l}*t})

\begin{cases}<br /> x=sin(φ)*l\\<br /> y=l*(cos(φ)*-1)\\<br /> \end{cases}

So correct equation of motion is
\begin{cases}<br /> x=sin(θ*sin(\sqrt{\frac{g}{l}*t}))*l\\<br /> y=cos(θ*sin(\sqrt{\frac{g}{l}*t}))*l-l\\<br /> \end{cases}
?
 
olgerm said:
φ=θ*sin(\sqrt{\frac{g}{l}*t})

\begin{cases}<br /> x=sin(φ)*l\\<br /> y=l*(cos(φ)*-1)\\<br /> \end{cases}

So correct equation of motion is
\begin{cases}<br /> x=sin(θ*sin(\sqrt{\frac{g}{l}*t}))*l\\<br /> y=cos(θ*sin(\sqrt{\frac{g}{l}*t}))*l-l\\<br /> \end{cases}
?
For small amplitude, that's roughly right, but doesn't satisfy the given initial conditions.
However, the OP does not specify small angles, so it's not clear whether this is what is wanted. Maybe they just want the differential equation, but using x and y instead of ##\phi##.
 
haruspex said:
For small amplitude, that's roughly right, but doesn't satisfy the given initial conditions.
However, the OP does not specify small angles, so it's not clear whether this is what is wanted. Maybe they just want the differential equation, but using x and y instead of ##\phi##.
What is the correct equation for any amplitude?
I mean motion of equation of pendulum "head".
x(t)=??
y(t)=??
 
Last edited:
  • #10
olgerm said:
What is the correct equation for any amplitude?
I mean motion of equation of pendulum "head".
x(t)=??
y(t)=??
There is no analytic solution.
 
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