SP Sound

Kurdistan Regional Government
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

College of Education
Physics Department – High Diploma
Simple Pendulum
Prepared By: Supervised By:
Hemn Sadradin Qader Prof. Dr. Nabil M.Nasr
Contents
Introduction
Simple Pendulum
The oscillatory motion of a simple
pendulum
The amplitude of a simple pendulum
Length of a simple pendulum
Time Period of Simple Pendulum
Tables we describe some cases
Reference
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.
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.
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

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.
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.
, Therefore
so ,
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
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

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

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Kurdistan Regional Government

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

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

Therefore, in simple pendulum we have

For small angle

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

The period of a pendulum does not depend on the mass

simple harmonic oscillator.

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

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

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