Question

A simple pendulum is 8.00 m long.
(a) What is the period of small oscillations for this pendulum if it is located in an elevator accelerating upward at 3.00 m/s2?
(b) What is the period of small oscillations for this pendulum if it is located in an elevator accelerating downward at 3.00 m/s2?
(c) What is the period of this pendulum if it is placed in a truck that is accelerating horizontally at 3.00 m/s2?

Answer 1

T = 2 pi sqrt (L/g)

Use observed g (force you would exert on scale/mass)

a) g = 9.81 + 3

b) g = 9.81 - 3

c) g = sqrt(9.81^2 + 9)

Answer 2

Use observed g (force you would exert on scale/mass)

a) g = 9.81 + 3

b) g = 9.81 - 3

c) g = sqrt(9.81^2 + 9^2)