Question

What is a simple pendulum?

Answer 1

1. A simple pendulum can be described as a device where its point mass is attached to a light in-extensible string and suspended from a fixed support.
2. The vertical line passing through the fixed support is the mean position of a simple pendulum.
3. The vertical distance between the point of suspension and the centre of mass of the suspended body (when it is in the mean position) is called the length of the simple pendulum denoted by$L$.
4. This form of the pendulum is based on the resonant system having a single resonant frequency.

Important Terms

1. The oscillatory motion of a simple pendulum: Oscillatory motion is defined as the to and fro motion of the pendulum in a periodic fashion and the centre point of oscillation known as equilibrium position.
2. The time period of a simple pendulum: It is defined as the time taken by the pendulum to finish one full oscillation and is denoted by $“T”$.
3. The amplitude of simple pendulum: It is defined as the maximum distance travelled by the pendulum from the equilibrium position to one side.
4. Length of a simple pendulum: It is defined as the distance between the point of suspension to the centre of the bob and is denoted by $“l”$.