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Intro Math Modeling – MATH-UA 251
Use the tools and material covered in class, recitation sections, and homework assign-
ments, along with other resources such as textbooks and scientific articles, to perform a
research study on the dynamics of pendulums.
(i) Start with a simple pendulum consisting of a spherical mass m anchored to a fixed
point O via a mass-less rod of length ` (cf. Fig. 1(a)). Perform a dimensional analysis
on the problem to find the period of oscillation τ (i.e., time scale of the system). Use
the Newton’s second law to write the governing ordinary differential equation (ODE);
a solution to this nonlinear equation should relate θ, or an equivalent variable, to time
t. Then, for small deviation angles θ, use linear approximation to linearize the ODE.
Analytically solve this linear ODE to find θ as a function of t. Let θ = θ0 and θ˙ = 0 be
the initial conditions of the problem. Using the concept of dimensional homogeneity,
find the time scale of the problem from the obtained solution. Compare it to the one
you found from dimensional analysis.
(ii) Use the Euler method to numerically solve the original nonlinear ODE. First, make
a plot of θ versus the dimensionless time, t/τ , for different time steps ∆t. This plot
should cover, at least, a couple of the oscillation periods. Discuss what happens qual-
itatively as the ∆t changes. Then, for a reasonably small ∆t ( τ), plot θ versus
time for different values of θ0, along with the corresponding analytical solutions to the
linear problem. Discuss what happens as θ0 decreases.
(iii) Revisit the problem accounting for the drag force on the mass. Additionally, make
plots of θ˙ versus θ for different conditions. Discuss the important characteristics of the
plots for system with and without drag. Interpret the results.
O
θ
`
m
g
(a)
O
θ
`, m
g
(b)
Figure 1. (a) A simple pendulum of mass m, attached to an anchor O via a mass-less rod
with length `. (b) A circular rod of radius a (thickness 2a), mass m, and length `, connected
to an anchor O.
I
(iv) Revisit the problem when the rod itself has a mass m with no mass connected to
it (cf. Fig. 1(b)). When accounting for the drag force, assume that FD is linearly
proportional to the magnitude of the normal velocity and the projected area.
(v) Perform an analysis of the double-pendulum system (bonus).
Project write-up
Write your report as a short technical paper that will describe the problem and back-
ground, rationalize your modeling choices, set up the equations, explain all parameters in
the model, present the analysis and solutions of the model, and interpret the results. Feel
free to analyze the problem beyond what suggested above.
Structure the document as a scientific report with multiple sections: abstract, introduc-
tion, model description, results, conclusions, references. You may write the report using
LATEX, Microsoft Word, etc. Regardless, a PDF should be submitted. Long derivations (if
any) should be provided in an Appendix. Submit your codes (fully commented) as well, and
if needed, provide a user guide for the code either in an Appendix or as comments in the
code. References should be provided. Follow the citation style of Physical Review Letters.
The grading criteria include the scientific content of the report, along with various edi-
torial factors such as organization of the paper, consistency (in notation, units, etc.), read-
ability, and correct/accurate/clear figures. In particular, all figures should have axis labels
(with units, if any), tick labels, legends (if applicable), a self-contained caption (below the
figure).
The submitted report should present an original work performed by the author. Simple
pendulum is a well-known, much studied, problem in Physics. You can, of course, study
those prior work, but submit your unique version of the modeling, solution, coding, analysis,
interpretation, etc. Please refer to the syllabus for more info on the honor code.