Pendulum in 3D

This following applet is Pendulum in 3D
Created by prof Hwang Modified by Ahmed
Original project Pendulum in 3D

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

Embed a running copy link(show simulation in a popuped window)

Full screen applet or Problem viewing java?Add http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ to exception site list
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.

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