Question
- Using dimensional analysis, derive the relationship between the period
of a simple pendulum, its length
, and the acceleration due to gravity
.
Ask by Sullivan Burns. in Zambia
Mar 24,2025
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
The period
of a simple pendulum is proportional to the square root of its length
divided by the acceleration due to gravity
. So,
.
Solution
We assume the period
depends on the length
and the acceleration due to gravity
as
where
is a dimensionless constant and
and
are exponents to be determined.
Step 1. Determine the dimensions of each quantity
- The dimension of the period
is time: . - The dimension of the length
is length: . - The dimension of the acceleration due to gravity
is length per time squared: .
Step 2. Write the dimensional equation
The dimensions of the right-hand side are
For dimensional consistency with the left-hand side
, we require:
This gives us two equations by equating the exponents of
and
on both sides.
Step 3. Equate the exponents
- For
:
- For
:
Step 4. Solve for the exponents
From the time exponent equation:
Using
:
Step 5. Write the relationship
Substitute the values of
and
back into the original equation:
Thus, by dimensional analysis, the relationship between the period
, the length
, and the acceleration due to gravity
is
where the proportionality constant
can be determined by solving the full equations of motion (in the case of a simple pendulum,
).
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Mind Expander
To derive the relationship between the period
of a simple pendulum, its length
, and the acceleration due to gravity
, we start with the dimensions involved. The period
has the dimension of time
, the length
has dimension
, and the acceleration
has dimensions of length per time squared
.
We can assume a relationship of the form:
where
is a dimensionless constant, and
and
are exponents we need to find.
Let’s approach this by equating dimensions:
- The left side gives
. - The right side gives
.
From the dimensions, we can set up two equations:
- For length:
- For time:
Solving the second equation gives
. Plugging this into the first equation provides
.
Now substituting
and
back, we have:
or rearranging,
In terms of a physical pendulum, the dimensionless constant
is often taken as
for simple pendulums, leading to the classical formula:
So there you have it—the period
of a simple pendulum is directly proportional to the square root of its length and inversely proportional to the square root of the acceleration due to gravity! What a neat little relationship!
Now, if only figuring out the perfect swing was as simple! Want to impress your friends? Mention how Galileo was one of the first to study pendulums, observing their motion at the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa—talk about multitasking during a fall!