# Describe the movement of a string-pendulum with initial speed $v_0=2\sqrt{gL}$

I posted this question here (physics.stackexchange) a few days ago, but our fellow physicians did not seem to like the question. I am giving it another try among the community of mathematicians!

The question was asked in a written test years ago, in a post graduate course. Therefore I assume it is possible to answer without the help of a computer. Nevertheless, all approaches are welcome.

The question is quite straightforward, it's all in the title. Suppose you have a classical pendulum of mass $m$, linked to the frictionless pivot by a weightless string (not the classical rod) of length $L$. The pendulum is initially in vertical position, in its equilibrium position. If you put it in motion with a horizontal speed $v_0=2 \sqrt{gL}$, what happens ? How can the movement be described?

I know for a fact (from a simulation) that I need to find the equations of the trajectory in the picture below. That is, the trajectory is circular (in red) up to a certain height, after which it becomes parabolic (in blue).

Approach #1:

I know the equation describing the movement of a pendulum is $$\frac{d^2 \theta}{d t^2} + \frac{g}{L}\sin \theta = 0,$$ where $\theta$ is the amplitude of the pendulum. So I suppose one could solve the differential equation numerically with the initial conditions $$\theta(0)=0,\quad \frac{d \theta}{d t}(0) = \frac{2 \sqrt{gL}}{L}=2 \sqrt{\frac{g}{L}}$$ and find an approximate solution. However, there is no closed form possible, and this was probably not the expected approach in the written exam. This being said, I am interested in knowing if the approach is correct from a theoretical point of view.

Approach #2:

It is not very difficult to show that the tension of the string is given by $$T(\theta) = mg \cos \theta + m L \left(\frac{d \theta}{dt}\right)^2$$ where again, $\theta$ is the amplitude from the vertical position. Or in terms of $h$, the height of the pendulum (assuming $h=0$ in the initial position): $$T(h) = mg \frac{h-L}{L}+ 4mg(1-\frac{h}{2L})$$

The string becomes slack when $T(h)=0$, i.e., when $h = \frac{5L}{3}$. At this point, the pendulum is only submitted to its weight, and the trajectory becomes parabolic. Would this be correct? How can we find the height at which the pendulum's trajectory becomes circular again (the bottom left part of the red trajectory in the picture).

Any input is welcome. Thanks!

• I think the trajectory will never be circular again. At the bottom, the mass will rebound... The second approach is a good description even it's not complete. The first one is complete but not exact... – Rafa Budría Nov 1 '17 at 10:56
• The picture you posted seems strange to me. The classical pendulum is constrained to move in a circle so the blue line of your picture is curious. – Warlock of Firetop Mountain Nov 1 '17 at 12:01
• The classical pendulum (at least the one most of us seem to know) uses a weightless rod to suspend the point mass from the pivot, not a string. That is where this question differs from the usual pendulum mechanics. The question is not all in the title. Possibly it would be better to avoid the word "classical" and draw more attention to the word "string." – David K Nov 1 '17 at 12:35
• I think this is what happened also when you posted this on PSE: nobody noticed the "string" part of the question, because "classical pendulum" mean "rigid rod" to them. Hence all the comments were addressing a question you had not asked. – David K Nov 1 '17 at 13:04

Approach number 1 describes what I would call a classical pendulum, in which a weightless rod holds a point mass $m$ at a fixed distance $L$ from a frictionless pivot.

Approach number 2 is a better description of the case when the mass is suspended from a string. The first equation is written incorrectly; it should be $$T(\theta) = mg \cos \theta + m L \left(\frac{d \theta}{dt}\right)^2.$$

I suspect this is just an error in the transcription from the formulas you wrote when you were working out this problem, since the next equation you derived appears to be correct.

You now know the exact point in space at which the weight's trajectory becomes parabolic and the exact velocity (speed and direction) of the weight at that instant. From this you can write an equation of the parabolic path in Cartesian $x$ and $y$ coordinates (or $x$ and $h,$ if you like). You can also write the equation of the circle in Cartesian coordinates. Solve the equations simultaneously, and you have the two points of intersection, one where the parabolic segment starts and the other where it ends.

What happens when the string becomes taut again is another question entirely. The idea that the weight would instantaneously resume its circular path with no instantaneous change in speed seems incorrect to me; the force exerted by the string is not perpendicular to the path of the weight at that point, and it seems to me the string must decelerate the weight. The question then is, how elastic is the string? Does it convert the kinetic energy of the weight to heat during the deceleration, or does it store that energy as a spring would and return it to the weight after the weight has stopped moving away from the pivot? Or is there a combination of the two effects? You might see the weight settle quickly into an oscillation along the circular path (but staying near the bottom of the circle), or you might see it "jump" back inside the circle in another parabolic arc. One thing I would definitely not believe is that the weight travels around the circular path to the same height as before and follows the same parabolic segment again.

• unless the string can be assumed to be fully rigid (in extension), i.e. with a very high elastic constant, in which case you have the same effect as if the ball was bumping against a floor normal to the trajectory: the ball would be reflected back, same direction and speed and thus (theorically) repeat the path in the reverse direction. When it arrives at the starting point, the |speed| will be the same as the starting one, so as if it was launched from a symmetric position. Thus the cycle will repeat in the other direction, and so forth. – G Cab Nov 1 '17 at 19:05
• @GCab That could happen if the weight were traveling in exactly a radial direction when it reached the circle. Based on LutzL's answer, that doesn't appear to be what it does. I agree that in the limit the weight would reflect back into the interior of the circle at the same speed, but it would be going in a different direction and would not retrace its path. – David K Nov 1 '17 at 19:39


Numerical integration, the red point uses the computed coordinates $(x_2,y_2)$ and is indeed the intersection point

• Great, thanks a lot. I accepted David K's answer because he posted his first with convincing content, but yours is just as good. Cheers – Kuifje Nov 1 '17 at 19:03