Question

Which of the following factors affects the time period of a simple pendulum?

(a) Mass of bob

(b) Shape of bob

(c) Length of string

(d) Angle of release from 0° to 20°

This question was addressed to me during an interview.

This intriguing question comes from Oscillations in section Oscillations of Physics – Class 11

Answer 1

Correct option is (c) Length of string

To elaborate: We neglect air resistance, so the shape of the bob will not matter.                                                 Time period is given by:                                                                                                                                                              2π √(l/g).                                                                                                                                                                                          Thus, it depends on the length of the pendulum and value of g.