Question

The model for the motion of the pendulum described in the background reading and OpenStax requires that several conditions are met in order to be an appropriate, accurate model. We often assume those conditions are met when we use a model, but, if our assumptions are wrong, the model may not describe what happens. Which of the following conditions, if not true/valid, would explain these experiment results? The pendulum is assumed to be swinging without friction. The string is assumed to be massless. The amplitude of oscillation is assumed to be small. All of these assumptions, if wrong, would explain the findings. None of these assumptions would explain the findings, regardless of whether they are true.

Answer 1

Without knowing the experiment results being referred to, it is not possible to identify which condition, if not true/valid, would explain the findings. However, if the experiment results show a deviation from the expected behavior of a simple pendulum, it is possible that one or more of the assumptions listed (pendulum swinging without friction, string being massless, amplitude of oscillation being small) may not be met, leading to an inaccurate model. Therefore, all of these assumptions, if wrong, could potentially explain the findings.