- #1
ThatDude
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Homework Statement
The question is:
A simple pendulum is mounted in an elevator. What happens
to the period of the pendulum (does it increase, decrease, or
remain the same) if the elevator
(a) accelerates upward at 5 m/s/s
(b) moves upward at a steady 5 m/s
(c) accelerates downward at 5 m/s/s
(d) accelerates downward at 9.81 m/s/s
Justify your answers.
My answer:
(a) If the elevator accelerates upward, there is a greater upward force, therefore the amplitude will decrease. However, the amplitude and period are independent of each other, therefore, the period shall remain the same.
(b) At constant speed, the period is the same
(c) If it accelerated downward, lesser upward force, therefore the amplitude will decrease --> period is still the same.
(d) No effect on the period for the same reasons as mentioned above.
I don't know if I approached these questions correctly; can someone please help me out?
Thank you.