- #1
Gauss M.D.
- 153
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Homework Statement
We've been given an assignment to work out a formula for the period time of a compound pendulum. This is right in the beginning of an introductory physics course which means we haven't covered inertia or torque yet. So we're just supposed to find an approximate relation between the period and stuff we are "supposed to" know.
To help us, we have a big, assymetric metal plate with holes drilled in various places for pivoting, and some measuring instruments.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
We did some measurements etc and found that the distance from the center of mass to the pivot point was to be our sole independent variable (for small angles, the amplitude had no impact).
When plotting the distance to the pivot and the period time, we found that it did not follow a traditional mathematical pendulum behaviour. The periodicity had a global minimum (at r = ~0.3m).
Some speculation and theorizing led us to the conclusion that as r tends to infinity, our function should tend to a mathematical pendulum, so we're probably looking for something like
[itex]2pi\sqrt{r/g} + a/r^{b}[/itex]
Where a, b are positive real numbers.
We were now hinted to use log linearization to find b. Here's the problem though... I don't really understand how to do it when I have multiple terms on one side of the equation. Can anyone give me a clue?