Why Doesn't the Drop Height Affect the Pendulum's Period?

  • Thread starter Thread starter student34
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Pendulum Period
AI Thread Summary
The period of a physical pendulum is calculated using the formula T=2∏√((2L)/(3g)), which is accurate for small amplitude oscillations. However, as the amplitude increases, this formula becomes less reliable, leading to longer oscillation times when dropped from greater heights. The discrepancy observed in the experiment is due to the limitations of the formula at larger amplitudes. Understanding this can clarify why the drop height affects the pendulum's period in practice. Accurate measurements require considering the amplitude's impact on the pendulum's motion.
student34
Messages
639
Reaction score
21

Homework Statement



What's the period to a 1 meter long physical pendulum string where L = 1M
T=2∏√((2L)/(3g)) = 1.64s

But, I did my own experiment, and the higher I dropped the pendulum the longer it took for it to travel 1 oscillation. What is going on here?



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
Physics news on Phys.org


Hi student34. The formula that you are using is only an approximate formula. It's pretty accurate for small amplitude oscillations (the smaller the better), but becomes more and more inaccurate as the amplitude is increased. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pendulum
 


TSny said:
Hi student34. The formula that you are using is only an approximate formula. It's pretty accurate for small amplitude oscillations (the smaller the better), but becomes more and more inaccurate as the amplitude is increased. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pendulum

Thank you so much. I thought I was going crazy!
 

Thread 'Rolling without slipping on a curved surface'

Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
View full post »

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »

Similar threads

JEE solution wrong? (tempco of a clock)
Replies
14
Views
1K
Period of a Pendulum on the Moon
Replies
7
Views
4K
Foucault Pendulum at the North Pole
Replies
9
Views
2K
How can I accurately calculate the quantum number of a pendulum?
Replies
17
Views
2K
Period of a physical pendulum with a pivot at its center
Replies
3
Views
3K
Finding the period of a pendulum witha string that has mass
Replies
2
Views
2K
Find the period of a small oscillation
Replies
11
Views
3K
Why Divide by 4 in Pendulum Period Calculation?
Replies
2
Views
2K
Oscillations concerning a pendulum
Replies
14
Views
2K
What Happens to a Pendulum's Period at 90 Degrees Inclination?
Replies
13
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top