CalissaRelics Posted August 24, 2016 Report Share Posted August 24, 2016 (edited) Hi, How can I prove that a pendulum follows SHM? I have data from an experiment and the angle used is 20degrees Before using the T = 2pi*SqRoot(L/g) I want to say the Pendulum follows SHM Could someone pls help me ? Thanks Edited August 24, 2016 by CalissaRelics Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kw0573 Posted August 25, 2016 Report Share Posted August 25, 2016 The pendulum is SHM for small angles (usually 15 degrees, 20 degrees may be too much but treat it as SHM gives ok approximation). The current wikipedia page on pendulum gives a more rigorous proof than necessary. The core of proof lies that the tan θ ≈ sin θ ≈ θ. Ultimately if you can show that the restoring force is approximately in the opposite direction and proportional to displacement, you have shown the SHM approximation. Reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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