Question

Which of the below pendulums will move the slowest, if each one of them is displaced by an angle of \(60 \degree\) from the center?

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The speed of a pendulum's motion is primarily determined by its period, which is influenced by the length of the pendulum. The formula for the period \((T)\) of a simple pendulum is given by:

\(T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{L}{g}}\)

where \(L\) is the length of the pendulum and \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity.

In problems involving comparing pendulums, we observe that:

• A longer pendulum length \(L\) results in a larger period \(T\), meaning the pendulum will take more time to complete one oscillation and thus move slower.

All pendulums are displaced by the same angle \((60 \degree)\), making the angle of displacement irrelevant in determining which pendulum moves the slowest, because it does not affect \(T\) for small angular displacements. Thus, we only need to compare the lengths of the provided pendulums.

The pendulum depicted in the image with has the longest length. Therefore, it will have the largest period and move the slowest among the pendulums.