Pendulum oscillation with obstacle · CAP 2003 #21

Physics · mechanics

Problem

A simple pendulum of length L is suspended from the top of a flat beam of thickness L/2L/2. The bob is pulled away from the beam so that it makes an angle θ<30°\theta < 30° with the vertical, as shown in the figure. It is then released from rest. If ϕ\phi is the maximum angular deflection to the right, then [Figure: Pendulum setup showing beam of thickness L/2, pendulum of length L, initial angle θ to the left, and maximum deflection φ to the right] (a) ϕ=θ\phi = \theta; (b) ϕ<θ\phi < \theta; (c) θ<ϕ<2θ\theta < \phi < 2\theta; (d) ϕ≥2θ\phi \geq 2\theta.

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