Simple pendulum with full nonlinear dynamics, showing anharmonic motion at large amplitudes
This program numerically integrates the nonlinear equation of motion for a simple pendulum, theta” = -(g/L)*sin(theta), without the small-angle approximation. For small amplitudes the motion is approximately sinusoidal, but at larger amplitudes the period increases and the motion becomes visibly anharmonic. Near the energy of the unstable equilibrium, the pendulum can exhibit librational or rotational behavior.
Controls: Click and drag to orbit, scroll to zoom.
