Maximum Angular Displacement of a Simple Pendulum – Rankers Physics
Topic: Oscillation
Subtopic: Equation of SHM

Maximum Angular Displacement of a Simple Pendulum

A simple pendulum oscillates in a vertical plane. When it passes through the mean position, the tension in the string is \(3\) times the weight of the pendulum bob. What is the maximum angular displacement of the pendulum of the string with respect to the vertical ?
\(30^\circ\)
\(45^\circ\)
\(60^\circ\)
\(90^\circ\)

Solution:

At the mean position, tension is \(T = mg + \frac{mv^2}{L}\). Given \(T = 3mg ⇒ \frac{mv^2}{L} = 2mg ⇒ v^2 = 2gL\). Using conservation of energy, \(mgL(1 - \cos\theta) = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 = mgL ⇒\cos\theta = 0 ⇒ \theta = 90^\circ\).

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