What is the period of a simple pendulum 54 cm long when it is in a freely falling elevator? Express your answer using two significant figures. If there is no answer, enter none.

Question

What is the period of a simple pendulum 54 cmcm long when it is in a freely falling elevator?

Express your answer using two significant figures. If there is no answer, enter none.

Answer 1

There is no period in free fall because the pendulum will not swing = none

T = 2pi sqrt(L/g) the gravity is 0 in free fall because the string is doing no “pulling up” on the object since everything is falling with earth’s gravity.

T = 2pi sqrt(54 / 0) = infinite (no period)