A pendulum clock is lifted to a height where the gravitational acceler

A pendulum clock is lifted to a height where the gravitational acceleration has a certain value g. Another pendulum clock of same length but of double the mass of the bob is lifted to another height where the gravitational acceleration is g/2. The time period of the second pendulum would be :
(in terms of period T of the first pendulum)

$sqrt{2}$ T
$rac{1}{sqrt{2}}$ T
$2sqrt{2}$ T
T
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2019
The correct answer is A) $\sqrt{2}$ T.
The time period (T) of a simple pendulum is given by the formula $T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{L}{g}}$, where L is the length of the pendulum and g is the acceleration due to gravity. The mass of the bob does not affect the time period of a simple pendulum.
For the first pendulum: Length $L_1=L$, gravity $g_1=g$. Time period $T_1 = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{L}{g}} = T$.
For the second pendulum: Length $L_2=L$ (stated as same length), mass $M_2=2M_1$ (mass does not affect T), gravity $g_2=g/2$. Time period $T_2 = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{L_2}{g_2}} = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{L}{g/2}} = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{2L}{g}}$.
We can rewrite $T_2$ in terms of $T_1$: $T_2 = \sqrt{2} \times (2\pi \sqrt{\frac{L}{g}}) = \sqrt{2} T_1 = \sqrt{2} T$.
The time period of a simple pendulum is independent of the mass and amplitude (for small oscillations) of the bob. It depends only on the length of the string and the local acceleration due to gravity. The question tests the understanding that mass does not influence the time period and how the time period scales with changes in gravitational acceleration.
Exit mobile version