[Physics] Period of a simple pendulum accounting for friction

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The period of a simple pendulum is $$T=2\pi\sqrt{\ell/g},$$ but no where in there do I see that it accounts for friction. Does it somehow account for friction, and if not, how could you do that?

Best Answer

You see, when you have a pendulum with friction you account it by including a force $\vec{F}_r=-b\vec{v}$. Then your differential equation for the pendulum is $$ml\ddot{\theta}=-mg\theta-bl\dot{\theta}\iff\ddot{\theta}+\frac{b}{m}\dot{\theta}+\frac{g}{l}\theta=0$$The solution of this differential equation depends on the values of $b$, $m$ and $l$ but since you are asking for a period, we will assume that the pendulum oscilates. Then you've got a solution with angular frequency $$\omega=\sqrt{\frac{g}{l}-\frac{b^2}{4m^2}}$$Therefore, the period of this osscilator is $$T=\frac{2\pi}{\sqrt{\frac{g}{l}-\frac{b^2}{4m^2}}}$$That shows how the period changes compared to the undamped pendulum.

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