In this instance is time on the x-axis?

Question

Does the mass (independent variable) of the bob affect the period (dependent variable) of the pendulum?

As you can see the period of the pendulum is dependent on the mass of the bob, so as the period is measure in seconds does that put it in the y-axis or is time always on the x-axis? (Because the dependent variable goes on the the y-axis and the independent goes on the x-axis) As you can see I have quite the conumdrum.

Answer 1

Dpending on your application, the dependant variable and the independant varaible can be changed.

In an experiment, if mass is the known quantity & it is varied to get differnt time periods of the pendulum. Then the resulting graph will have the independent variable - mass on the X-axis and the dependant variable - time period on the Y-axis.

On the otherhand, If in an experiment the time period of the oscillations of the pendulum is controlled to arrive at different masses of the pendulum. Then the resulting graph will have the time period on X-axis & the mass on the Y-axis.