That's correct! In the real world, a pendulum does not continue to swing indefinitely due to the effects of air resistance and friction. Here are a few factors that contribute to the eventual stopping of a pendulum:
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Air Resistance: As the pendulum swings through the air, it experiences drag, which opposes its motion. This drag force reduces the kinetic energy of the pendulum with each swing, causing it to lose speed and height over time.
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Friction at the Pivot Point: The point where the pendulum is attached experiences friction, which can also dissipate energy. This frictional force acts against the motion of the pendulum and contributes to the gradual loss of energy.
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Energy Conversion: In an ideal pendulum, mechanical energy is conserved, continuously converting between potential energy (at the peaks of the swing) and kinetic energy (at the lowest point). In reality, however, energy is lost to heat due to the friction and air resistance, causing the pendulum's amplitude to decrease over time.
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Damping: The overall effect of air resistance and friction results in a phenomenon called "damping," which causes the amplitude of the pendulum's swings to decrease exponentially until it eventually comes to rest.
In summary, while a simple pendulum model assumes no energy losses and predicts perpetual motion, real-world pendulums gradually slow down and stop due to air resistance and frictional forces.