Question

A 1.5 kg pendulum swings from point a of height y_a = 0.10 m to point b of the same height. The heights are relative to the lowest height. What is the mass of the pendulum?

Answer 1

The mass of the pendulum is 1.5 kg.

Step-by-step explanation:

The mass of the pendulum can be determined using the principle of conservation of mechanical energy. Since the height from point a to point b is the same, the potential energy at point a is equal to the potential energy at point b. The potential energy of the pendulum at a given height is given by the equation:

PE = mgh

where m is the mass of the pendulum, g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s^2), and h is the height. Substituting the given values, we have:

m * 9.8 * 0.10 = 1.5 * 9.8 * 0.10

After canceling out the common factor of 9.8, we find that the mass of the pendulum is 1.5 kg.