Simple pendulum: period from length

A simple pendulum of length 1 m swings through a small angle (g = 10). Find its period.

Step-by-step

1. T = 2π√(L/g) = 2π√(1/10) ≈ 1.9869
   For small swings a pendulum's period depends only on its length and gravity

Why it works

For small swings the period depends only on length and g: T = 2π√(L/g). Mass and amplitude do not matter.

Common mistakes

• Thinking a heavier bob swings slower.
• Using degrees instead of radians when checking the answer.

Related

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