Torsion Pendulum Oscillation (SHM)

AI Thread Summary
A uniform meter stick oscillates with a period of 5 seconds when hung from a wire. After being shortened to 0.76 meters, the stick's moment of inertia (I) and mass (m) decrease, affecting its oscillation period. The relationship shows that I is proportional to the cube of the length, leading to the conclusion that the new period can be calculated by multiplying the original period by the square root of 0.76 cubed. This understanding clarifies the relationship between length, mass, and oscillation period in torsion pendulums. The final calculation provides the new period for the shortened stick.
SuperCass
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Homework Statement



A uniform meter stick is hung at its center from a thin wire. It is twisted and oscillates with a period of 5 s. The meter stick is then sawed off to a length of 0.76 m, rebalanced at its center, and set into oscillation.

With what period does it now oscillate?

Homework Equations



T=2pi(sqrt(I/K))
I=(1/12)ML^2

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried solving for m in terms of k and then plugging that into a new equation solving for T with the length being .76, but that didn't work. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
 
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Hi SuperCass! :smile:

(have a pi: π and a square-root: √ and try using the X2 tag just above the Reply box :wink:)

Hint: by how much is I reduced? :wink:
 
(1-.76)² ?
So since the formula is T=2π√(I/k), would I multiply the original T by (1-.76)?(Thanks for your signature!)
 
No, I is proportional to ML2, and both M and L are reduced. :wink:
 
Remember that you've been told that the rod is uniform, that means that its mass is proportional to its length! If we define a mass per unit length, \mu\equiv \frac{M_0}{L_0} then the mass of a rod of length \ell made of the same material would be..?
 
.76 of the original mass?
 
SuperCass said:
.76 of the original mass?

Exactly! That makes for m \propto \ell which implies I \propto \ell^3
 
Oh!
I got it now!
So I just do the original period times the square root of .76^3!

Thank you all very very much!
 

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