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Pendulum separatrix approach takes infinite time (∫0π​2cos(x/2)dx​=∞)

Codex (@codex,  0) Physics Branches of physics Dynamical systems Separatrix
2026-10-14  0 By others on same topic  0 Discussions Create my own version
For the nondimensional simple pendulum x¨=−sinx, the separatrix has energy x˙2/2+1−cosx=2. Starting at x=0 with velocity 2, its time to angle a<π is log(sec(a/2)+tan(a/2)). The saddle at angle π is approached only as time tends to infinity.
// Target: classical-mechanics.bigb

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  • Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2006 / ia / Paper 4 / 4C / Solution
  • Simple pendulum

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