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AP Physics C: Mechanics
7.5 Simple and Physical Pendulums
AdvancedMCQMathematical19.3k
A vertical thin rectangular rod of length L is suspended in a vertical plane. A small open circle labeled P represents a horizontal pivot located a distance x above the rod's midpoint. A solid black dot labeled CM marks the center of mass of the rod at its geometric center. A vertical double-headed arrow between P and CM is labeled x. A vertical bracket extending the full length of the rod is labeled L. No other labels, lines, text, or axes appear.
A uniform rod suspended from a pivot located a distance \(x\) from its center of mass.
A uniform thin rod of length \(L\) and mass \(M\) is suspended from a frictionless horizontal pivot located a distance \(x\) from the rod's center of mass, where \(0 < x < L/2\). The rod oscillates in a vertical plane with small angular amplitude. As \(x \to 0\), the period of oscillation approaches infinity, and as \(x\) approaches \(L/2\), the period increases after passing through a minimum. In terms of \(L\), what distance \(x\) minimizes the period of oscillation?

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