Question

What are the factors affecting the time period of a simple pendulum?

Answer 1

The time period of a simple pendulum depends upon the following factors .

1. Length : The time period of a simple pendulum is directly proportional to the square root of its length.
2. Acceleration due to gravity :The time period of a simple pendulum is inversely proportional to the square root of the acceleration due to gravity .If the value of g decreases,the time period of the pendulum increases.
3. Mass of the bob :The time period of a simple pendulum does not depend on the mass of the bob ,that is ,if we use bobs of different masses like 5 g ,10 g and 20 g the time taken for one oscillation by the pendulum does not change.
4. Amplitude of the oscillation : The time period of a simple pendulum does not depend upon the amplitude of oscillation.
5. Nature of the material of the bob : The time period of a simple pendulum does not depend on the nature of the material of the bob.