The equation of motion of an undamped pendulum is \(d^{2} \theta / d
t^{2}+\omega^{2} \sin \theta=0,\) where \(\omega^{2}=g / L .\) Let \(x=\theta, y=d
\theta / d t\) to obtain the system of equations
$$
d x / d t=y, \quad d y / d t=-\omega^{2} \sin x
$$
(a) Show that the critical points are \((\pm n \pi, 0), n=0,1,2, \ldots,\) and
that the system is almost lincar in the neighborhood of cach critical point.
(b) Show that the critical point \((0,0)\) is a (stable) center of the
corresponding linear system. Using Theorem 9.3.2 what can be said about the
nonlinear system? The situation is similar at the critical points \((\pm 2 n
\pi, 0), n=1,2,3, \ldots\) What is the physical interpretation of these
critical points?
(c) Show that the critical point \((\pi, 0)\) is an (unstable) saddle point of
the corresponding linear system. What conclusion can you draw about the
nonlinear system? The situation is similar at the critical points \([\pm(2 n-1)
\pi, 0], n=1,2,3, \ldots\) What is the physical interpretation of these
critical points?
(d) Choose a value for \(\omega^{2}\) and plot a few trajectories of the
nonlinear system in the neighborhood of the origin. Can you now draw any
further conclusion about the nature of the critical point at \((0,0)\) for the
nonlinear system?
(e) Using the value of \(\omega^{2}\) from part (d) draw a phase portrait for
the pendulum. Compare your plot with Figure 9.3 .5 for the damped pendulum.