Practice question
Question
What distinguishes the restoring force in a spring-mass system from that in a simple pendulum at small
amplitudes?
Explanation
**Angular SHM** of pendulum results from restoring torque τ = -m g L sinθ ≈ -m g L θ for small θ, analogous to linear SHM with ω = √(g/L). This relation allows period determination from length and local gravity, illustrating gravitational influence on oscillation. The spring-mass system uses elastic force ( F = -kx ), constant with displacement, while the pendulum’s force ( F = -mg sin θ ≈ -mg θ ) derives from gravity and varies with angle. Applying x = A cos(ωt + φ), v = -ωA sin(ωt + φ), a = -ω²x and E = ½kA² = ½mω²A², result It is
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