Skip to main content
2 of 2
edited tags; edited title
Qmechanic
  • 213.1k
  • 48
  • 590
  • 2.3k

$Q$ factor of a pendulum

according to the definition of the Q-factor of damping, it is given by:

$Q = 2\pi\frac{Energy \; Stored}{ Energy \;Dissipated \; per \;cycle }$

Q = 1⁄2 --> Critical damping

Q > ​1⁄2 --> Over damped

Q < 1⁄2 --> Under damped

In my experiment, I am finding the condition for critical damping but when I calculate the Q factor I am getting very high values, even if the oscillations are underdamped. The data I am recording is the initial angle of the pendulum and the angle after 1 oscillation.

Is there any other formula to calculate the Q factor of damping in a pendulum based on the angle of the pendulum and Q factor.

tmm
  • 1
  • 1