# pendulum

• March 12th 2008, 04:02 PM
mathlete
pendulum
The period, T, of a pendulum of length L is given by the following equation where g is the acceleration constant due to gravity.

T = (2pi)sqrt(L/g)

(a) Suppose the length of the pendulum changes by L. How will the period change? Express your answer in terms of T and L only.

deltaT = (T/2L)deltaL

(b) If the length of the pendulum increases by 2%, by what percent does the period change?

???

ok so i figured out part a) that was cake...sort of...well not really, anyways i need help on doing part b) thanks

mathlete
• March 12th 2008, 06:21 PM
topsquark
Quote:

Originally Posted by mathlete
The period, T, of a pendulum of length L is given by the following equation where g is the acceleration constant due to gravity.

T = (2pi)sqrt(L/g)

(a) Suppose the length of the pendulum changes by L. How will the period change? Express your answer in terms of T and L only.

deltaT = (T/2L)deltaL

(b) If the length of the pendulum increases by 2%, by what percent does the period change?

???

ok so i figured out part a) that was cake...sort of...well not really, anyways i need help on doing part b) thanks

mathlete

$\frac{\Delta L}{L} = 0.02$

So $\Delta L = 0.02L$

and
$\Delta T \approx \left ( \frac{T}{2L} \right ) ~ \Delta L$
and then change that into a percent change in T.

-Dan