A mathematical model of pendulum damping is presented. The model includes three damping terms, quadratic and linear in the velocity, and velocity independent. The model is applied to detailed experimental data obtained with a computer‐linked rigid pendulum. Values of the damping parameters are obtained using nonlinear least squares. It is shown that linear models are inadequate to account for the observed behavior of real pendulums, and that at least two damping terms are generally needed.
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© 1986 American Association of Physics Teachers.
1986
American Association of Physics Teachers
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