Simulation Explanation

This simulation demonstrates the motion of a pendulum bob (mass = 0.1 kg) hung from a 2m string.

When the string is cut at different positions, the bob follows different trajectories:

At extreme position: The bob has zero velocity and falls vertically downward.

At mean position: The bob has maximum velocity (1 m/s) and follows a parabolic projectile path.

Physics Principles

Pendulum Motion: The bob oscillates under gravity, converting between potential and kinetic energy.

Extreme Position: All energy is potential, velocity is zero.

Mean Position: All energy is kinetic, velocity is maximum.

String Cut: When cut, the bob becomes a projectile with initial conditions determined by its position when cut.

Trajectory: Determined by initial velocity - zero velocity gives vertical fall, horizontal velocity gives parabola.