Péndulo simple
A pendulum's period depends on its length but not on its mass, which is worth verifying rather than memorising. This simulation lets you change both and time the swings, while tracking the energy exchange through each cycle.
Cómo usar esta simulación
- Change the length, mass and starting angle
- Adjust gravitational field strength
- Show the energy bar chart through the swing
Qué observar
- Changing the mass leaves the period completely unchanged
- Quadrupling the length only doubles the period
- Kinetic energy peaks at the lowest point and potential energy at the extremes
La física detrás
For small angles the restoring force is approximately proportional to displacement, giving simple harmonic motion with period T = 2π√(L/g). Mass cancels out because a heavier bob experiences proportionally more restoring force. The small-angle approximation breaks down beyond roughly 15°, where the real period runs slightly longer than the formula predicts.