AbraCalc

Pendulum with Large Amplitude (30°, 1 m Length)

At a 30° amplitude, the small-angle approximation slightly underestimates the true period due to non-linear effects.

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How to use this tool

  1. Enter pendulum length l, gravity g and amplitude θ in the fields above.
  2. Results update instantly as you type — or click Calculate.
  3. Read your period (small-angle approx.) and the full breakdown beneath it.

At angles above ~15°, the simple pendulum formula begins to deviate from reality — this preset demonstrates when the approximation starts to break down.

Frequently asked questions

What is the period of a 1-metre pendulum on Earth?
Approximately 2.006 seconds, which is why 1-metre pendulums were historically used in grandfather clocks (half-period ≈ 1 s per swing).
Does mass affect the period?
No — the small-angle period T = 2π√(L/g) is entirely independent of mass.