Simple Pendulum & Elevator Homework | Period Formula for Accelerating Elevator

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around determining the period of a simple pendulum suspended in an upward-accelerating elevator. The key formulas presented include T = 2π*(L/(g+a))^(1/2) and T = 2π*(L/g)^(1/2), with the consensus leaning towards the former as it accounts for both gravitational acceleration (g) and the elevator's acceleration (a). Participants express confusion about the problem's mathematical aspects and the relevance of free body diagrams. The conversation also references Einstein's equivalence principle, highlighting the relationship between gravitational fields and acceleration. Ultimately, the focus is on correctly applying the formulas to find the pendulum's period in the context of the elevator's motion.
hansel13
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Homework Statement


A simple Pendulum is suspended from the ceiling of an elevator. The elevator is accelerating upwards with acceleration a. The period of this pendulum, in terms of its length L, g, and a is:
2\pi*(L/a)^(1/2)
OR
2\pi*(L/(g+a))^(1/2)
OR
2\pi*(L/g)^(1/2)

Homework Equations


T = 2\pi*(L/g)^(1/2)

The Attempt at a Solution


Not sure where to start. It doesn't seem like there's really math involved here. I tried drawing a free body diagram, but that made things worse. I'm pretty sure it's the middle one, because the other 2 just don't make sense, because the formula needs to both a and g into account, right?
 
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Right.

"we [...] assume the complete physical equivalence of a gravitational field and a corresponding acceleration of the reference system." (Einstein 1907)
 
OK thanks
 

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