Simple pendulum
Simple pendulum is an interactive experiment in Oscillations & Waves, a free simulation from StudyFi Lab that runs right in your browser.
A bob on a string of length L swings under gravity according to θ″ = −(g/L)·sin θ. For small angles T = 2π√(L/g), and the period does not depend on the amplitude. At large angles the actual period is longer. Energy flows between kinetic and potential, while the total stays the same.
Try this: Pull the bob to 10°, then to 80°, and compare the measured period with 2π√(L/g).
Frequently asked questions
What does the “Simple pendulum” experiment show?
A bob on a string of length L swings under gravity according to θ″ = −(g/L)·sin θ. For small angles T = 2π√(L/g), and the period does not depend on the amplitude. At large angles the actual period is longer. Energy flows between kinetic and potential, while the total stays the same.
How do I try “Simple pendulum”?
Pull the bob to 10°, then to 80°, and compare the measured period with 2π√(L/g).
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