Torsional Pendulum Suspended by Two Stranded Wires
Torsional Pendulum Suspended by Two Stranded Wires
This Demonstration simulates a variation of the classic torsional pendulum.
A disk hangs on a strand of two wires. The disk is given an initial angular displacement and released from rest, resulting in a harmonic motion similar to that of a torsional pendulum.
The potential energy of this system changes cyclically due to the variation in length of the strand, from the twisting and untwisting of the wires.
The changes in potential energy are compensated by changes in the kinetic energy of the rotating disk, with the total energy of the system remaining constant.
Friction between the wires and air drag are not considered.