Investigating how various factors impact the behaviour of masses on a looping pendulum
A looping pendulum is a setup that consists of two loads connected by a light string, which in turn is put over a fixed rod, with the lighter load being held by a person, and the heavier close to the rod. As the lighter load is released the heavier load drops before suddenly stopping due to the tension in the string caused by the lighter load wrapping aruond the rod.
The lighter mass shall be referred to as m1 The heavier mass shall be referred to as m2
Exploring how the following factors impact the strength of the hold:
- Number of loops (n) m1 makes around the rod
- Angle (θ)[°] between the rod and the rope (on the side of m1)
- Length (l)[m] of the rope connecting m1 and m2
- Weight ratio (r)[kg:kg] between m1 and m2
The greater the numer, n, of loops the stronger the tensile force on the rope and ∴ the stronger the hold on m2
The larger the angle θ, the greater the velocity m1 gains when dropped due to the increase in vertical height and ∴ the greater the number of loops
The greater the length, l, of the rope the greater the rate of change of the vertical height of m1 with respect to θ and ∴ the greater the number of loops. Additionally, the longer the rope the greater the max number of possible loops for a rod of equal diameter.
The greater the weight ratio, r, between m1 and m2 the greater the acceleration of m1 due to tension of the rope ∴ the greater the number of loops.