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Oscillations

Pendulum displaced




When the mass is displaced, we find that the string tension S is neither equal, nor opposite, to the weight W of the mass.
Since the string tension S is a reaction force, it can only compensate the component of the weight force which is in the direction of the string.
The component of the weight W which is perpendicular to the string cannot be compensated by the string tension S. That component of the weight W gives the restoring force, which drives the mass back to its equilibrium position.



pendulum