Question

what is the difference between simple pendulum and compound pendulum

Answer 1

A pendulum consists of an object suspended along an axis so that it is able to move back and forth freely. Depending on the shape of the pendulum, a pendulum could be classified as a simple pendulum or a compound pendulum (physical pendulum).

In a simple pendulum the dimensions of the object in suspension is significantly smaller than the distance from the centre of gravity of the object to the axis of suspension. This allows us to treat the mass as though it were a single point.

In a compound pendulum, the distance between the centre of gravity of the swinging body and the axis of suspension is comparable to the dimensions of the body.

The main difference between simple pendulum and compound pendulum is that, in a simple pendulum, the distance between the centre of gravity of the suspended body and the axis of suspension is large compared to the dimensions of the suspended body whereas, in a compound pendulum, the dimensions of the suspended body are comparable to the distance between the body’s centre of gravity and the axis of suspension.

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Answer 2

What is the difference between Simple and Compound Pendulums?

• The period and, therefore, the frequency of the simple pendulum depends only on the length of the string and the gravitational acceleration. The period and the frequency of the compound pendulum depend on the length of gyration, the moment of inertia, and the mass of the pendulum, as well as the gravitational acceleration.

• The physical pendulum is the real life scenario of the simple pendulum.