Pendulum but instead of the one string you have two strings attached

[XanziBar]

So let's say you have like a pendulum but instead of the one string you have two strings attached to two fixed supports (I tried to include a picture). Let's say you pull it back and swing it so that it is swinging in and out of the screen. Would its period of oscillation be the same as if there were one string of length equal to the vertical height that the supports are above the pendulum? I tried going after this with forces but it isn't even easy to draw.

All I can think is that in the limiting case when the "d" goes to zero it's a simple pendulum again. Any ideas?

 

[A.T.]

Would its period of oscillation be the same as if there were one string of length equal to the vertical height that the supports are above the pendulum?

The out of screen movment is restricted in the same way. It doesn't matter that the string force is distributed on two strings, as their resultant is the same as with one string.

 

[astrokreng]

I would first like to commend you for your curiosity and creativity in exploring the concept of a pendulum with two strings attached. This is a great example of how science is all about questioning and testing new ideas.

To answer your question, the period of oscillation for a pendulum with two strings attached would not be the same as a simple pendulum with one string of length equal to the vertical height of the supports. The period of oscillation is determined by the length of the pendulum, and in this case, the length would be the distance between the two supports. This distance is likely to be longer than the vertical height of the supports, resulting in a longer period of oscillation.

In addition, the presence of two strings would also introduce some complexities in the motion of the pendulum. The two strings would create a more complex system of forces and could potentially affect the period of oscillation. As you mentioned, in the limiting case when the distance between the supports becomes very small, the system would approach a simple pendulum and the period of oscillation would be similar to that of a simple pendulum.

I would recommend further exploring this concept through experimentation or mathematical analysis to determine the exact relationship between the period of oscillation and the distance between the two supports. This could be a fascinating project for students or researchers interested in the mechanics of pendulums.

Overall, your idea of a pendulum with two strings attached is an interesting concept to explore and could potentially lead to new discoveries in the field of physics. Keep questioning and experimenting, and you never know where your ideas may take you!