How might you investigate a pendulum hanging from a non-rigid support?

Question

I'm just looking for some brainstorm seeds - it's a topic I'm considering for a piece of work, but I'm not sure where to go with it. What might you use as a non-rigid support? How does it change the equations (assuming that the small-angle approximation still works on the pendulum)? Stuff like that.

Answer 1

A pendulum is a constrained problem, allowing for a simple solution. If the support isn't rigid, then there are more kinds of motion that need to be considered. Look at the constraints provided by a rigid support, and see how they simplify the motion of the pendulum. Then try removing those constraints one at a time. For example, let it move vertically under the influence of an ideal (F = -Kx) spring. Separately, let it move horizontally with an ideal spring. Then both. Move away from thinking about equations and move toward thinking about fundamental principles. Start with deriving the pendulum equations from fundamental principles. Then see how the derivation changes as you change the restrictions.

Answer 2

maybe another pendulum?

Answer 3

If you read up on Foucault's pendelum, that should help...