A small solid sphere of mass 0.15kg is suspended from a light, inextensible string of length 0.80m and allowed to oscillate with small amplitude as a simple pendulum. When the sphere is 15∘ from the vertical on its way toward equilibrium, its speed is measured to be 0.50ms−1.
(a) Determine the maximum angular displacement (in degrees) reached by the sphere during its motion.
(b) Compute the total mechanical energy of the system.
(c) Calculate the speed of the sphere as it passes through the lowest point of its swing.