Respuesta :
The calculated total mechanical energy will reduce if the oscillation is not perpendicular to the photogate.
Mechanical energy at the lowest position of the pendulum
The mechanical energy at the lowest position of the pendulum is calculated as follows;
[tex]U = K.E = \frac{1}{2}mv^2[/tex]
When the direction of the motion changes
let the velocity of the pendulum = vsin(θ)
when the velocity is perpendicular = vsin(90) = v
At any direction different from perpendicular direction, the mechanical energy reduces by;
[tex]\Delta U = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 - \frac{1}{2} m(vsin\theta)^2\\\\\Delta U = \frac{1}{2} m(v^2 - v^2sin^2\theta)\\\\\Delta U = \frac{1}{2} mv^2(1 - sin^2\theta )[/tex]
Thus, the calculated total mechanical energy will reduce if the oscillation is not perpendicular to the photogate.
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