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- The upper right part of the display shows dynamic graphs of the
- instantaneous velocity, horizontal position and acceleration of the
- pendulum bob. After the end is reached, the graph restarts but now shows
- total energy, kinetic energy and potential energy. The next time the
- original type of graph is again shown, and so on.
-
- Use F7 to stop the action at different points of the motion and notice at
- what points the potential and kinetic energies are smallest and when they
- are largest. Notice that these two energies always add up to the total
- energy. If you turn on some friction with F6 you can see how the amplitude
- of the motion and the total energy decay with time. The program restores
- the initial amplitude each time the graph recycles. While the friction is
- on, compare the two types of graphs. Notice how the total energy decays
- faster than the oscillation amplitude. Think about this and try to find the
- explanation. Use F6 to turn friction ON and OFF.
-
- The lower right part of the screen shows the pendulum formula for small
- amplitudes and the basic quantities which define the motion of the pendulum
- pictured at the left side. When you stop the motion, other numbers are
- listed, which show the instantaneous values of several dynamic quantities.
- Many of these values are related through the pendulum formula, through the
- law of energy conservation, etc. Try to find and verify such relationships.