A simple pendulum undergoing Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) in an electric field experiences a change in its motion due to the interaction between the pendulum and the electric field.
- In the absence of an electric field, a simple pendulum follows SHM, where the displacement of the pendulum bob from its mean position is proportional to the sine of the angular displacement.
- However, in the presence of an electric field, the pendulum bob experiences a force due to the electric field, which affects its motion.
- The force experienced by the pendulum bob in an electric field can be determined by Coulomb's law, which states that the force experienced by a charged particle in an electric field is proportional to the magnitude of the charge and the electric field strength.
- When the pendulum bob is displaced from its mean position, the electric field causes a net force on the pendulum bob, which acts in the direction of the electric field.
- This force changes the motion of the pendulum, causing it to oscillate at a different frequency than in the absence of the electric field.