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## Effect on Time Period of a Simple Pendulum

“The bob of a simple pendulam is of iron.If a small magnet is placed just under the bob,then how the time period will be affected?”

Question Posted by Riya Mondal

The time period will decrease as the attraction of magnet increases the net downward pull (adding to g in the equation $T=2\pi \sqrt{\frac{l}{g}}$)

(It was a quick answer; Visitors are requested to respond)

## Time Period of a Simple Pendulum in Space

“if you set up a pendulum aboard an orbiting space vehicle, would the period be less than, the same as, or greater than it would be in our lab? explain.”

Ans:

In a space vehicle orbiting around the earth, the apparent weight is zero as the entire gravitational pull is being utilized in providing the centripetal force required for revolving. This is called weightlessness in space.

i.e; in effect, the acceleration due to gravity is zero which make the time period of the satellite infinity. The pendulum will not oscillate at all.

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Tailpiece:

However, in manned space vehicles, there is an option to simulate gravity by making the system rotate at a particular rate so as to make the inhabitants feel as if there is weight and gravity.

## Pendulum on Mount Everest !

If you set a pendulum atop Mt. Everest, would the period be less than, greater than or equal to the period you would get in the lab?  Explain.

Ans:

As you know, the acceleration due to gravity decreases as we go upwards from surface of earth.

The time period of a simple pendulum is given by

Where l is the length of the pendulum, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

From the equation, we can conclude that, the Time period of the pendulum increases (i.e. it goes slower)  if the pendulum is set up on top of Mount Everest.

For Creative and Critical Thinkers

Here we have not considered the change in temperature between the laboratory conditions and the temperature on top of Mount Everest which is very low. A decrease in temperature would decrease the length of the pendulum (Unless it is made up of such a substance which does not change its length with change in  temperature) and will also decrease the time period of the pendulum, making it move faster.

My first answer is correct only if the laboratory conditions are the same as on top of Mt. Everest or vice versa, except for the difference in altitude (height)