Period of Pendulum Before String Extension

  • Thread starter Thread starter zeralda21
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Pendulum Period
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
2 replies · 3K views
zeralda21
Messages
119
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement



For a mathematical pendulum, you notice that if you extend the string with 60 cm, then the time of one period will double for small oscillations. What was the period of time before the line was extended?

Homework Equations



T=2pi*sqrt(l/g) where l is the length of the pendulum.

The Attempt at a Solution



If I assume that the first pendulum has a length l, then the period will of course be: T=2pi*sqrt(l/g). If I now extend it by 0.6m, the period will double: 2T=2pi*sqrt((l+0.6)/g) which is equal to T=pi*sqrt((l+0.6)/g).

Now I set my first equation equal to the last one:

T=2pi*sqrt(l/g)=T=pi*sqrt((l+0.6)/g) , squaring LHS and RHS----> 4l/g=(l+0.6)/g ---->

4l=l+0.6---> l=5/6. If I insert this value of l into my first equation I get that T=1.83 seconds which is wrong. Correct answer is 0.9 seconds.

Or is there another way of solving?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
zeralda21 said:
Now I set my first equation equal to the last one:

T=2pi*sqrt(l/g)=T=pi*sqrt((l+0.6)/g) , squaring LHS and RHS----> 4l/g=(l+0.6)/g ---->
Looks OK.
4l=l+0.6---> l=5/6.
Redo that last step!
 
Doc Al said:
Looks OK.

Redo that last step!

What a mistake..I assumed 0.6=5/3 instead of 3/5. The length 1/5 is correct and matches with period. Thank you very much sir.