Question

A simple pendulum is used to investigate the dissipation of energy. Which quantity is plotted against time to analyse this dissipation?

Options

• Velocity

• Time period

• Square of amplitude

• Length of pendulum

Answer 1

Square of amplitude

Explanation:

Energy dissipation in a simple pendulum is analysed by plotting the square of amplitude against time. Since the energy of a pendulum is proportional to the square of its amplitude, a decrease in this graph directly shows how energy is lost over time due to air resistance and friction.