A simple pendulum is 4.00 m long.

Question

(a) What is the period of simple harmonic motion for this pendulum if it is hanging in an elevator accelerating upward at 4.00 m/s^2?

(b) What is its period if the elevator is accelerating downward at 4.00 m/s^2?

(c) What is the period of simple harmonic motion for the pendulum if it is placed in a truck that is accelerating horizontally at 4.00 m/s^2?

Answer 1

period of swinging pendulum is T=2pi*sqrt(L/g), where L=4m, g=9.8m/s^3 in an elevator without acceleration;

(a) g=9.8 +4 =13.8; T=2pi*sqrt(4/13.8) =3.38s;

(b) g=9.8 -4 =5.8; T=2pi*sqrt(4/5.8) =5.22s;