Eugene I. Butikov
St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
(Received 21 June 2000; accepted 19 January 2001)
A simple qualitative physical explanation is suggested for the phenomenon of dynamic stabilization of the inverted rigid planar pendulum whose pivot is constrained to oscillate with a high frequency in the vertical direction. A quantitative theory based on the suggested approach is developed. A computer program simulating the physical system supports the analytical investigation. The simulation reveals subtle details of the motion and aids the analytical study of the subject in a manner that is mutually reinforcing.
©2001 American Association of Physics Teachers.
DOI: 10.1119/1.1365403
PACS: 01.50.-i, 45.40.Cc
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