A simple pendulum of length and a block attached to a horizontal spring with force…
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics
Problem
A simple pendulum of length 0.80m and a 0.50kg block attached to a horizontal spring with force constant 25N/m are each set into small-amplitude oscillations. Without carrying out a full numerical calculation, which prediction about their frequencies is most justified?
(a) Both systems have approximately the same frequency because the numerical values of k and g are comparable.
(b) The spring–mass system has the higher frequency because km is smaller than gl.
(c) The pendulum has the higher frequency because the gravitational restoring force is stronger than the spring force.
(d) The spring–mass system will oscillate more slowly because its period increases with amplitude, while the pendulum’s period does not.