Il pendolo fisico: teoria, simulazione, esperimento

We propose a new tool for laboratory curricula based on computer-aided data acquisition and analysis. A pendulum coupled to a low-friction rotary sensor offers variable length, variable mass, and two different kind of damping torque: “dynamic friction” (almost constant) and “viscous” friction proportional to the angular velocity. Simple models implemented in common spreadsheets allow to compare the experimental results with the theoretical predictions.