Contents

1- Introduction
2- Simple Pendulum
3- The oscillatory motion of a simple pendulum
4- The amplitude of a simple pendulum
5- Length of a simple pendulum
6- Time Period of Simple Pendulum
7- Tables we describe some cases
8- Reference

1
Introduction

A simple pendulum can be described as a device where its point mass is attached to a light
inextensible string and suspended from a fixed support. The vertical line passing through
the fixed support is the mean position of a simple pendulum. The vertical distance
between the point of suspension and the center of mass of the suspended body, when it is
in the mean position, is called the length of the simple pendulum, and denoted by L. This
form of the pendulum is based on the resonant system having a single resonant frequency.

The simple pendulum is a mechanical system that sways or moves in an oscillatory

motion. This motion occurs in a vertical plane and is mainly driven by gravitational force.
Interestingly, the bob that is suspended at the end of a thread is very light, we can say it is
even massless. The period of a simple pendulum can be made extended by increasing the
length string while taking the measurements from the point of suspension to the middle of
the bob. However, it should be noted that if the mass of the bob is changed, the period will
remain unchanged. The period is influenced mainly by the position of the pendulum in
relation to Earth, as the strength of the gravitational field is not uniform everywhere.

In addition, pendulums are a common system whose usage is seen in various instances.
Some are used in clocks to keep track of the time, while some are just used for fun in case
of a child‟s swing. In some cases, it is used in an unconventional manner, such as a sinker
on a fishing line. In any case, we will explore and learn more about the simple pendulum
on this page. We will discover the conditions under which it performs simple harmonic
motion as well as derive an interesting expression for its period.

2
Simple Pendulum:

The simple pendulum is another mechanical

system that moves in an oscillatory motion. It
consists of a point mass „m‟ suspended by
means of light inextensible string of
length L from a fixed support as shown
in Fig. The motion occurs in a vertical plane
and is driven by a gravitational force. The
forces which are acting on the mass are shown
in the figure. The tangential component of the gravitational force, mg sin θ, always acts
towards the mean position θ = 0 opposite to the displacement, restoring force acting
tangent to the arc.

The oscillatory motion of a simple pendulum: Oscillatory motion is defined as the to

and fro motion of the pendulum in a periodic fashion, and the center point of oscillation is
known as the equilibrium position.

The time period of a simple pendulum: It is defined as the time taken by the pendulum
to finish one full oscillation and is denoted by “T”.

The amplitude of a simple pendulum: It is defined as the distance travelled by the

pendulum from the equilibrium position to one side.

Length of a simple pendulum: It is defined as the distance between the point of

suspension to the center of the bob and is denoted by “L”.

Time Period of Simple Pendulum:

If the body is displaced through a small angle (θ) and released from this position,
a torque is exerted by the weight of the body to restore its equilibrium.

3
By using torque; , here we have the length of pendulum L= d

By substituting in equation torque

Therefore, in simple pendulum we have

For small angle

, ,

We know

And we know

So √ √

where T is the time period, L is the length of system

4
From the above equation, it is seen that the period and frequency of a simple pendulum
depend only on the length of the string and the value g.

 Since the period is independent of the mass, a pendulum of equal length at the same
location oscillates with equal periods. The analogy between the simple pendulum is
the mass–spring system as shown in Fig. bellow. The displacement, velocity,
acceleration, kinetic energy and potential energy are given in Table 2.1 for various
positions of the pendulum.

5
Note that Small Angular Displacements Produce Simple Harmonic Motion

The period of a pendulum does not depend on the mass of the ball, but only on the length
of the string. Two pendula with different masses but the same length will have the same
period. Two pendula with different lengths will different periods; the pendulum with the
longer string will have the longer period.

Another way to get periodic time in simple pendulum by using hook‟s law .

, Therefore so
,

For angles less than about 15º, the restoring

force is directly proportional to the
displacement, and the simple pendulum is a
simple harmonic oscillator.

where the force constant is given by k = mg/L and the displacement is given by x = s.

we can write √

so we get √ √

So we get the periodic for simple pendulum

6
Example:

What is the acceleration due to gravity in a region where a simple pendulum having a
length 75.000 cm has a period of 1.7357 s?

Solution:

L= 0.75 m, T = 1.7357 s g = ?

g=

7
*In tables we describe some cases:

When the pendulum swings to the endpoints, it changes direction so the magnitude of the
velocity is zero, but the acceleration is at a maximum since the velocity is changing in
direction.

The potential energy is at a maximum at the endpoints. When the pendulum swings to the
center, its velocity is at a maximum, its acceleration is at a minimum, and its potential
energy is zero. Its kinetic energy is at a maximum here since its velocity is at a maximum.

Going to
Maximum Equilibrium Avoid from Maximum
equilibrium
displacement point equilibrium displacement
point

L Maximum Reduces Zero increases maximum

F=-kx=mg Maximum Reduces Zero increases maximum

Maximum Reduces Zero increases maximum

PE=mgh Maximum Reduces Zero increases maximum

KE= zero Increases Maximum Reduces Zero

zero Increases Maximum Reduces Zero

√

P = mv zero Increases Maximum Reduces Zero

8
References

[1]Bull, D. (2012). Measurement of the acceleration due to gravity with a simple

pendulum. Salford Journal of Physics, 1.
[2]Collins, M. O. & Bull, E. U. J. (2006). The dependence of the period on angular
amplitude of a simple pendulum. Nigerian Journal of Physics, 18(1), 149-153.

[3]Lide, D. R. (Ed.) (1993). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, (74th ed.). Boca
Raton: CRC Press.

[4]Lima, F. M. S.; Arun, P. (October 2006). "An accurate formula for the period of a
simple pendulum oscillating beyond the small angle regime". American Journal of
Physics. 74 (10): 892–895.