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The equations of motions for a simple pendulum is given by $$\ddot{\theta} ~=~ -\frac{g}{\ell}\sin(\theta),$$ where $g$ is acceleration due to gravity and $\ell$ is the length of the pendulum's string. Notice that the differential equation is of second order, does this mean that if I solve this equation numerically, the numbers that I get refers to the change in the velocity of the pendulum? |
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This is really the same as Mark's answer but phrased in a different way. If you write your equation in Leibniz's notation it is: $$ \frac{d^2\theta}{dt^2} = -\frac{g}{\ell}\sin(\theta) $$ This makes it clearer that the solution is going to be the function $\theta(t)$ i.e. the angle as a function of time. |
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If you solve the equation for $\theta$, whether numerically or otherwise, you will have $\theta$, not $\dot\theta$ or $\ddot{\theta}$. You can get those by differentiating, of course, or you may find them as part of your numerical algorithm along the way. The fact that the equation is second order simply means you will need two initial conditions to find a solution. |
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