Simple pendulum - period depends on length gravity - Explanation

Simple pendulum - period depends on length gravity - Explanation The period of a simple pendulum depends on its length. When a pendulum is only moving through relatively small angles, it can be said to be moving with simple harmonic motion. In this case its period only depends on its length and on acceleration due to gravity. Specifically, the period (\\(T\\)) of a pendulum moving with simple harmonic motion is given by the expression: $$ T = 2 \pi \sqrt{ \frac{l}{g} } $$ where \\(l\\) is the length of the pendulum, and \\(g\\) is acceleration due to gravity. This means that since the student knows the value of acceleration due to gravity, once they measure the length of the pendulum they will be able to calculate its period.

3 years ago