Solving the Pendulum Equation: L, T, pi & g

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the equation for the period of a pendulum, specifically how to manipulate it to express the acceleration due to gravity (g) in terms of the length of the pendulum (L), the period (T), and pi (π).

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to rearrange the pendulum equation to isolate g, expressing uncertainty about the final form. Some participants suggest inverting the equation and multiplying by L to achieve the desired form for g.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with one confirming the correctness of a rearranged equation. There is a collaborative effort to clarify the steps involved in isolating g.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses confusion about the expectations for the final form of the equation, indicating a need for clarification on the problem requirements.

pkpiotr517
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This is one question that's giving me a bit of trouble to handle.
The Period of a pendulum is given by the following equation:
e0ce071038f4bfa4bf458a2758ca9564.png

where T= period of pendulum (seconds)
L= Length of pendulum (meters)
g= acceleration doe to gravity (meters per second2)

Solve this equation in terms of L, T and pi. That means that g sould be by itself on one side of the equal sign and a combination of L, T, and pi should be on the other side of the equal sign.




T=2(pi)*square.root.of(L/g)



My attempt at the problem was:
(T)/(2*pi)= square.root.of(L/g)2
Then I squared the right side of the equation and did the same on the left in order to cancel out the square root on the right.
((T)/(2*pi))2=(L/g)
Afterwords, I tried to factor out the L by multiplying its inverse on the right and got:
((T)/(2*pi))2(1/L)=(1/g)

There I get stuck, because I'm not too sure if he wanted it set equal to 1/g. So if anyone can send some feedback, then it would be greatly appreciated!
 
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\left( \frac{T}{2 \pi}\right)^2= \frac{L}{g}


You can just invert both sides of the equation and then multiply by L.

Or as you've done in the last line of your working, just invert both sides and you'll have 'g' in terms 'L' and 'T' and 'π'
 
So I would get:

\left( \frac{2 \pi }{T }\right)^2 (L)= {g}

Is that correct?
 
Last edited:
Yes that looks correct.
 

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