2. A simple pendulum consists of a point mass m suspended by a massless string with length. The point mass will oscillate back and forth along a circular are with radius . This is an example of a system that approximately undergoes simple harmonic motion under certain conditions. m a) Determine the angular acceleration of the point mass, which should lead you to a differential equation for the angle 0. b) Now suppose the angle is very small. If the angle is small, sin (if you look at a graph of sin 0, for small , you should see that sin is approximately linear). Using this approximation, show that your answer to part a) leads to simple harmonic motion. Find the period, frequency, and angular frequency of the oscillations. c) For this part, suppose = 0.5 m, m = 2 kg, and at t=0 the mass is at rest at an angle = -0.1 rad (note: a negative angle mean's the mass is to the left of the vertical). What is as a function of time? d) Assuming the oscillations are small, what physical properties affect the period of the system? If you increase the mass m, what happens to the period? If you increase or decrease the length of the string, what happens to the period? What if the pendulum was near the surface of the moon instead of the earth, what would happen to the period? Make sure
Simple harmonic motion
Simple harmonic motion is a type of periodic motion in which an object undergoes oscillatory motion. The restoring force exerted by the object exhibiting SHM is proportional to the displacement from the equilibrium position. The force is directed towards the mean position. We see many examples of SHM around us, common ones are the motion of a pendulum, spring and vibration of strings in musical instruments, and so on.
Simple Pendulum
A simple pendulum comprises a heavy mass (called bob) attached to one end of the weightless and flexible string.
Oscillation
In Physics, oscillation means a repetitive motion that happens in a variation with respect to time. There is usually a central value, where the object would be at rest. Additionally, there are two or more positions between which the repetitive motion takes place. In mathematics, oscillations can also be described as vibrations. The most common examples of oscillation that is seen in daily lives include the alternating current (AC) or the motion of a moving pendulum.
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