Practice question
Question
For a simple pendulum, why does the approximation of SHM break down at large amplitudes?
Explanation
**Simple pendulum** for small angles approximates SHM with period T = 2π√(L/g), frequency f = (1/2π)√(g/L), angular frequency ω = √(g/L) (rad/s), independent of mass. L length from pivot to centre of mass (m), g = 9.8 m/s² acceleration due to gravity, approximation sinθ ≈ θ (rad) for θ < 10°. At large amplitudes, sin θ neq θ , and higher-order terms in the expansion ( sin θ = θ - (θ³/6) + ldots ) become significant, making the restoring force non-linear. Applying x = A cos(ωt + φ), v = -ωA sin(ωt + φ), a = -ω²x and E = ½kA² = ½mω²A², result
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