B Why is a simple pendulum not a perfect simple harmonic oscillator?

AI Thread Summary
A simple pendulum is not a perfect simple harmonic oscillator because its restoring force is not directly proportional to the angle of displacement, especially at larger angles. As the angle increases, the approximation of the restoring torque deviates from the ideal linear relationship. This leads to variations in the period of the pendulum, which can be better approximated using more complex formulas. In contrast, Christiaan Huygens's pendulum, which follows the tautochrone curve, maintains a constant period regardless of amplitude, qualifying it as a true simple harmonic oscillator. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurate physics modeling.
Huzaifa
Messages
40
Reaction score
2
Khan Academy claims that a simple pendulum not a perfect simple harmonic oscillator. Why is it so?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Huzaifa said:
Khan Academy claims that a simple pendulum not a perfect simple harmonic oscillator. Why is it so?
Is the restoring torque exactly proportional to the angle of the pendulum? What happens if the angle gets big?
 
Because the restoring force is not exactly (negatively) proportional to the displacement.
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes olgerm and vanhees71
Yes, the simple pendulum is not a simple harmonic oscillator for reasons already explained. However, Christiaan Huygens's pendulum follows the tautochrone curve which is not as simple as a circle but has amplitude-independent period, i.e. is a simple harmonic oscillator.
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes Dadface, vanhees71, DaveE and 2 others
Thread 'Gauss' law seems to imply instantaneous electric field'

Thread 'Gauss' law seems to imply instantaneous electric field'

Imagine a charged sphere at the origin connected through an open switch to a vertical grounded wire. We wish to find an expression for the horizontal component of the electric field at a distance ##\mathbf{r}## from the sphere as it discharges. By using the Lorenz gauge condition: $$\nabla \cdot \mathbf{A} + \frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial t}=0\tag{1}$$ we find the following retarded solutions to the Maxwell equations If we assume that...
View full post »

Thread 'Off resonance driving of a MW/RF cavity'

Hello! Let's say I have a cavity resonant at 10 GHz with a Q factor of 1000. Given the Lorentzian shape of the cavity, I can also drive the cavity at, say 100 MHz. Of course the response will be very very weak, but non-zero given that the Loretzian shape never really reaches zero. I am trying to understand how are the magnetic and electric field distributions of the field at 100 MHz relative to the ones at 10 GHz? In particular, if inside the cavity I have some structure, such as 2 plates...
View full post »

Similar threads

B Harmonic oscillator and simple pendulum time period
Replies
36
Views
3K
I Thoughts about coupled harmonic oscillator system
Replies
1
Views
1K
B Is the Motion of a Pendulum Described by a Harmonic Oscillator Model?
Replies
12
Views
2K
B Forced Oscillations: Pendulum 1 Driving Neighboring Pendulum
Replies
2
Views
1K
I Alternative Approach to Solving Foucault's Pendulum Behavior
Replies
8
Views
2K
I Problem with the harmonic oscillator equation for small oscillations
Replies
3
Views
2K
B Magnetic pendulum and electric energy....
Replies
3
Views
2K
A Flaw in Lagrangian Mechanics for a rotary inverted pendulum system? (Simulation vs. Measured)
Replies
11
Views
1K
A Measurement uncertainty due to thermal noise
Replies
4
Views
2K
I How Does Changing Mass and Spring Force Affect Watch Oscillators?
Replies
11
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top