Mathematics & Science Learning Center
Computer Laboratory

Applications of Differential Equations

The Simple Pendulum

(continued from last page...)

Your new picture should be this one:

The upper, red, plot is the actual solution, so apparently, the linearized, blue, solution "undershoots" reality, and would be untrustworthy as a model for this higher initial velocity problem.

What if We Use Really Large Values For y?

Now redo the entire problem a third time, and this time let's really wallop the thing, giving it an initial velocity, v_o, of 10. Don't forget to keep the colors differentiated!

Welcome back. Let's go look at the picture which you should have gotten...

If you're lost, impatient, want an overview of this laboratory assignment, or maybe even all three, you can click on the compass button on the left to go to the table of contents for this laboratory assignment.