Which of the following factors does NOT affect the period of a simple pendulum?

Which of the following factors does NOT affect the period of a simple pendulum?

• A. The mass of the pendulum bob
• B. The length of the pendulum
• C. The acceleration due to gravity
• D. The initial angle of release

Answer: (A)

The period of a simple pendulum is primarily influenced by the length of the pendulum and the acceleration due to gravity, while the mass of the pendulum bob does not play a role in determining the period. In the case of a simple pendulum, the formula for the period is given by \( T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{L}{g}} \), where \( T \) is the period, \( L \) is the length of the pendulum, and \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity. This equation clearly shows that the mass of the bob does not appear in the formula, indicating that changes in mass would have no effect on the duration of one complete oscillation. Although the initial angle of release can affect the maximum height reached and may introduce slight variations for larger angles, in the context of small angle approximations, it does not significantly influence the period for a simple pendulum. For small angles, the period remains approximately constant regardless of the initial angle. Thus, the assertion that the mass of the pendulum bob does not affect the period holds true, making it the correct choice in this question.

The period of a simple pendulum is primarily influenced by the length of the pendulum and the acceleration due to gravity, while the mass of the pendulum bob does not play a role in determining the period.

In the case of a simple pendulum, the formula for the period is given by ( T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{L}{g}} ), where ( T ) is the period, ( L ) is the length of the pendulum, and ( g ) is the acceleration due to gravity. This equation clearly shows that the mass of the bob does not appear in the formula, indicating that changes in mass would have no effect on the duration of one complete oscillation.

Although the initial angle of release can affect the maximum height reached and may introduce slight variations for larger angles, in the context of small angle approximations, it does not significantly influence the period for a simple pendulum. For small angles, the period remains approximately constant regardless of the initial angle.

Thus, the assertion that the mass of the pendulum bob does not affect the period holds true, making it the correct choice in this question.