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What is a simple pendulum?
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What is a simple pendulum?
Simple pendulum:-
A hypothetical apparatus consisting of a point mass suspended from a weightless, frictionless thread whose length is constant, the motion of the body about the string being periodic and, if the angle of deviation from the original equilibrium position is small, representing simple harmonic motion (distinguished from physical pendulum).
Detailed definition:
A pendulum is a weight suspended from a pivot so that it can swing freely.
When a pendulum is displaced sideways from its resting, equilibrium position, it is subject to a restoring force due to gravity that will accelerate it back toward the equilibrium position. When released, the restoring force acting on the pendulum's mass causes it to oscillate about the equilibrium position, swinging back and forth. The time for one complete cycle, a left swing and a right swing, is called the period. The period depends on the length of the pendulum and also to a slight degree on the amplitude, the width of the pendulum's swing.

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What is a simple pendulum?



Simple Pendulum:

A simple pendulum is a basic physics apparatus consisting of a mass (known as the bob) hanging from a string or rod of fixed length. When displaced from its resting position, the pendulum will swing back and forth under the influence of gravity.

Components of a Simple Pendulum:
- **Bob:** The mass at the end of the string.
- **String or Rod:** The medium through which the bob is suspended.
- **Resting Position:** The equilibrium point where the pendulum is at rest.
- **Amplitude:** The maximum angle the pendulum swings from its resting position.
- **Period:** The time taken for one complete oscillation of the pendulum.

Working Principle:
The motion of a simple pendulum is governed by the laws of physics, specifically the principles of gravity and inertia. When the bob is displaced from its resting position and released, gravity acts as a restoring force, pulling the bob back towards the equilibrium position. As a result, the pendulum oscillates back and forth in a regular pattern.

Factors Affecting the Period of a Simple Pendulum:
- **Length of the String:** Longer strings have longer periods.
- **Mass of the Bob:** Heavier bobs have longer periods.
- **Amplitude of the Swing:** Larger amplitudes can affect the period.

Applications of Simple Pendulum:
- Used in clocks to regulate time.
- Studied in physics to understand oscillatory motion.
- Demonstrates the principles of harmonic motion.

In conclusion, a simple pendulum is a fundamental apparatus in physics that demonstrates the principles of oscillatory motion and can be used in various applications to measure time and study physical phenomena.
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