Question #222
This question involves analysis of the motion of the device shown in
the photograph below. The pendulum at the left in the photograph is
displaced and released so that it oscillates in and out of the plane of
the picture. The support rod is free to oscillate in larger openings in
the support frame, as seen in an mpeg video by clicking your mouse on the
photograph.
The question this week involves what the five pendula on the right
will do when the pendulum at the left is set into motion.
When the pendulum at the left is set into motion:
- (a) the center pendulum will move with a large amplitude, but none of
the others will move at all.
- (b) the center pendulum will move with a large amplitude, while only
the two pendula next to the middle pendulum will move at all, but with
less amplitude.
- (c) the center pendulum will move a lot, while all four of the others
will move, but with much less amplitude.
- (d) all of the pendula will move randomly with very small amplitudes.
- (e) all of the pendula will move randomly with larger amplitudes.
Explain exactly what you mean by your answer.
Click here for Answer #222 after May 23, 2005.
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