Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2023/prelims/mathematics-iv/6/a/solution

The uniform rod has linear mass density . Integrating squared distance from the pivot gives its moment of inertia about the axis perpendicular to the plane of motion:
Measure from the downward vertical. The center of mass is at distance from the pivot, so gravity produces the restoring torque . The fixed-axis rotational equation of motion is . Therefore the physical pendulum obeys
The pivot force has zero torque about the pivot.

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