# Chapter SHM Example 01_02

## Q1: what is the maximum angle of release before the motion is not accurately described as a simple harmonic motion for the case of a simple free pendulum?

Example 1: Simple pendulum A pendulum bob given an initial horizontal displacement and released to swing freely to produce to and fro motion

## Suggested Inquiry Steps:

1.     Define the question in your own words
2.     Plan an investigation to explore angle of release to record the actual period T and theoretical period  ${T}_{the\phantom{\rule{1ex}{0ex}}\text{or}\phantom{\rule{1ex}{0ex}}y}=2\pi \sqrt{\frac{L}{g}}$  where L is the length of the mass pendulum of mass, m and g is the gravitational acceleration of which the mass is experiencing, on Earth's surface  g = 9.81 m/s2
3.     A suggested record of the results could look like this

 angle / degree T /s Ttheory / s $err\phantom{\rule{1ex}{0ex}}\text{or}\phantom{\rule{1ex}{0ex}}=\frac{\left(T-{T}_{the\phantom{\rule{1ex}{0ex}}\text{or}\phantom{\rule{1ex}{0ex}}y}\right)}{T}100%$ 05 10 15 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

With the evidences collected or otherwise, suggests what the conditions of which the angle of oscillation can the actual period T be approximated to theoretical period such that  T  ≈ ${T}_{the\phantom{\rule{1ex}{0ex}}\text{or}\phantom{\rule{1ex}{0ex}}y}=2\pi \sqrt{\frac{L}{g}}$

angle θ  ≈ 10 degrees for $err\phantom{\rule{1ex}{0ex}}\text{or}\phantom{\rule{1ex}{0ex}}=\frac{\left(2.010-2.006\right)}{2.010}\left(100\right)=0.2%$, depending on what is the error acceptable, small angle is typically about less than 10 degree of swing from the vertical.

## Conclusion:

Motion approximates simple harmonic motion when the angle of oscillation is small < 10 degrees..

## Other Interesting fact(s):

Motion approximates SHM when the spring does not exceed limit of proportionality during oscillations.

## Real Life Application of Small Angle Approximations:

Astronomical applications of the Small Angle Approximation

## Model:

http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/44365627/lookangEJSworkspace/export/ejss_model_SHM01b/SHM01b_Simulation.xhtml