I am attempting to derive the following equation of motion for a simple pendulum:
$$\theta''(t) = – \frac{g}{l} \sin(\theta).$$
For background, see this Wikipedia article. I understand this page has multiple derivations, but I don't like any of them so I am attempting my own.
My attempt does not quite work. I am likely missing something stupid. What is it?
The strategy is to obtain two expressions for the acceleration $a(t)$ of the pendulum bob and set them equal to one another. The first we obtain via Newton's second, the second is obtained by writing down an equation for the position $x(t)$ and deriving it twice.
First, let $u(\alpha) = (\sin(\alpha), -\cos(\alpha))$ for any $\alpha$. Note that $u'(\alpha) = (\cos(\alpha), \sin(\alpha))$ is $u(\alpha)$ rotated $- \pi / 2$.
The position function can be written:
$$x(t) = u(\theta(t))$$
where $\theta$ is an unknown function of time describing the angle of the pendulum at each instant. Using the product rule and the chain rule, we obtain:
$$x'(t) = \theta'(t) u'(\theta(t))$$
$$a(t) = x''(t) = \theta''(t) u'(\theta(t)) + \theta'(t)^2 u''(\theta(t))$$
Now, the net force on the pendulum bob is
$$F = -mg \sin(\theta(t)) \ u'(\theta(t))$$
since the tension on the string and the component of gravitational force parallel to the position vector negate one another.
By Newton's second,
$$a(t) = -g \sin(\theta(t)) u'(\theta(t))$$
Setting the two equations equal to one another:
$$\theta''(t) u'(\theta(t)) + \theta'(t)^2 u''(\theta(t)) = -g \sin(\theta(t)) u'(\theta(t))$$
If we "forget about" the second term on the left, we obtain the desired relation. Note also that $u''(\alpha) = – u(\alpha)$, so this is some component of acceleration that always normal to the arc that the pendulum travels in. Have I forgotten some reason why it shouldn't exist? What step above is incorrect?
Best Answer
The extra term on the left-hand side indicates that there is a force directed along the string that you failed to account for. This is the centripetal acceleration, that is the force that keeps the bob moving in a circular path.
Your error occurs when you say that "the tension on the string and the component of gravitational force parallel to the position vector negate one another". If this were the case then the bob would move in a straight line. Thus we see that the tension force must be greater than the force of gravity perpendicular to the motion of the bob. The difference between tension and gravity is the centripetal force.