Question

Compare two physical systems that oscillate. One is a mass swinging back and forth at the end of a string (pendulum) and the other is a mass hanging from a spring. Which of these systems changes its natural frequency more when the object's mass changes?

Answer 1

The natural frequency of the mass hanging from a spring changes more when its mass changes compared to a pendulum system.

Step-by-step explanation:

The natural frequency of a physical system depends on its characteristics, such as mass and stiffness. In the case of a mass swinging back and forth at the end of a string (pendulum), the natural frequency is influenced primarily by the length of the string. When the length of the string is changed, the natural frequency changes. On the other hand, in a mass hanging from a spring, the natural frequency is primarily affected by the stiffness of the spring. Consequently, when the mass of the object changes in the pendulum system, the natural frequency remains relatively unchanged. In contrast, in the spring system, changing the mass of the object will cause a significant change in the natural frequency.