Simple Pendulum - Numerical Simulation
A simple pendulum is modeled using a set of point masses connected by stiff rods in a chain (representing an N-fold coupled pendulum). These numerical solutions to the governing equations of motion represent the dynamics of a mass tied to a string with mass and infinite resistence to tension swinging in the gravitational field while being subject to kinetic friction. Illustrated are three different initial conditions.
The set of equations given above stems from analytical mechanics. It is solved numerically using a Runge-Kutta scheme of fourth order.