What is time average of tension?

[lemon__meringue]

Summary: My homework question asks: Consider a simple pendulum, undergoing small oscillations. Is the time average of the tension in the string of the pendulum larger or smaller than mg? By how much?

My homework question asks: Consider a simple pendulum, undergoing small oscillations. Is the time average of the tension in the string of the pendulum larger or smaller than mg? By how much?

I tried to use T= mgcosθ - mv^2/L to find the angle in terms of time and then use the average of a function things which I learned in calc. But I have no idea how to go about finding θ (t) . Is this right thought the process? or is there a better way? Please help me :'(

Thanks for any help in advance

 

[anorlunda]

Welcome to PF. I moved it to a homework help forum. Next time you have a homework problem, post it in the homework forum and fill out the template the forum will provide.

Here's a hint. How much is the tension if the small oscillations are zero in size? In other words, standing still.

 

[Chestermiller]

You find theta as a function of time by solving the force balance in the tangential direction.