Pendulum in 3D

[Fu-Kwun Hwang]

This is a pendulum in 3D.
Let the angle between the pendulum and the vertical line is $\theta$ and the angular velocity $\omega=\frac{d\theta}{dt}$
And the angle of the pendulum (projected to x-y plane) with the x-axis is $\phi$, and it's angular velocity $\dot\phi=\frac{d\phi}{dt}$

The lagrange equation for the system is $L=T-V = \tfrac{1}{2}m (L\dot\theta)^2+\tfrac{1}{2}m (L\sin\theta \dot{\phi})^2- (-mgL\cos\theta)$


The equation of the motion is

$\ddot\theta=\sin\theta\cos\theta\dot{\phi}^2-\frac{g}{L}\sin\theta$ ...... from $\frac{d}{dt}(\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{\theta}})-\frac{\partial L}{\partial \theta}=0$
and
$ m L^2 \sin\theta^2 \dot{\phi}=const$ Angular momentum is conserved. ...... from $\frac{d}{dt}(\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{\phi}})-\frac{\partial L}{\partial \phi}=0$

And the following is the simulation of such a system:
When the checkbox (circular loop) is checked, $\omega=0$. and $\dot{\phi}= \sqrt{\frac{g}{L\cos\theta}}$ It is a circular motion.
The vertical component tangential of the string balanced with the mass m, and the horizontal component tangential provide the centripetal force for circular motion.

You can uncheck it and change the period $T=\frac{2\pi}{\dot{\phi}}$ ,
and you will find out the z-coordinate of the pendulum will change with time when
$\omega\neq 0$ or $\dot{\phi}\neq \sqrt{\frac{g}{L\cos\theta}}$
You can also drag the blue dot to change the length of the pendulum.

Embed a running copy of this simulation
<applet code='users.ntnu.fkh.pendulum3D_pkg.pendulum3DApplet.class' archive='http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ntnujava/ejsuser/2/ejs_pendulum3D.jar' name='pendulum3D4677' id='pendulum3D4677' width='590' height='582' mayscript=true><param name='draggable' value='true'></applet>
Embed a running copy link(show simulation in a popuped window)
<a href='http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ntnujava/msg.php?smfejs=4677' target='smfejs'>Run simulation</a>

Full screen applet or Press the Alt key and the left mouse button to drag the applet off the browser and onto the desktop. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Taiwan License

• Please feel free to post your ideas about how to use the simulation for better teaching and learning.
• Post questions to be asked to help students to think, to explore.
• Upload worksheets as attached files to share with more users.

Let's work together. We can help more users understand physics conceptually and enjoy the fun of learning physics!

[msntito]

Hi,
I was trying to derive the same equations of motion,
Why have you considered the RHS of second equation = constant ?

I got:-  m(L^2) * [  (sin theta)^2 * phi_dot_dot  +  sin(2*theta) * theta_dot * phi_dot  ]  =  0
as the second eq of Motion.

After this, how to solve?

regards,
tito

[Fu-Kwun Hwang]

The lagrange equation for the system is $L=T-V = \tfrac{1}{2}m (L\dot\theta)^2+\tfrac{1}{2}m (L\sin\theta \dot{\phi})^2- (-mgL\cos\theta)$

from $\frac{d}{dt}(\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{\phi}})-\frac{\partial L}{\partial \phi}=0$
you will find $ m L^2 \sin\theta^2 \dot{\phi}=const$

The reason is:
since there is no $\phi $ in lagrange equation so $\frac{\partial L}{\partial \phi}=0$
which mean $\frac{d}{dt}(\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{\phi}})=0$ ,
so $(\frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{\phi}})$ must be a constant. i.e. $ m L^2 \sin\theta^2 \dot{\phi}=const$

[msntito]

 `thanks a lot.
I was wondering if this problem can be solved using Euler angles instead of phi and theta (like in rigid body dynamics).How should I begin,  Do you have any idea?

[Fu-Kwun Hwang]

You will need to use Euler's angle if the pendulum is not a sphere,
for example:  when it is a cylinder, then, you can use the following rules to draw it:
1. rotate around z axis by $\phi$
2. rotate around y axis by $-\theta$
3. rotate around z axis by $\phi$

You can check out the following applet.

Embed a running copy of this simulation
<applet code='users.ntnu.fkh.pendulum3D3_pkg.pendulum3D3Applet.class' archive='http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ntnujava/ejsuser/2/ejs_pendulum3D3.jar' name='pendulum3D34779' id='pendulum3D34779' width='590' height='582' mayscript=true><param name='draggable' value='true'></applet>
Embed a running copy link(show simulation in a popuped window)
<a href='http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ntnujava/msg.php?smfejs=4779' target='smfejs'>Run simulation</a>

Full screen applet or Press the Alt key and the left mouse button to drag the applet off the browser and onto the desktop. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Taiwan License

• Please feel free to post your ideas about how to use the simulation for better teaching and learning.
• Post questions to be asked to help students to think, to explore.
• Upload worksheets as attached files to share with more users.

Let's work together. We can help more users understand physics conceptually and enjoy the fun of learning physics!