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Unit 7: Oscillations

Simple and Physical Pendulums

Derive the period of a physical pendulum from rotational dynamics and the small-angle approximation, apply T = 2π√(I/mgd), and use pendulum data to find g.

Topic 7.5 · 9 min read

This lesson comes with the AP Physics C: Mechanics plan

In this lesson

  1. 01What makes a physical pendulum
  2. 02From Newton's second law to SHM
  3. 03The simple pendulum is a special case
  4. 04Worked examples
  5. 05Where students lose points
  6. 06On the exam

The first units’ lessons are free. The plan opens every lesson, every practice question with worked solutions, your study plan and calendar, for $14.49 a month. Cancel any time.

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