JAMB Physics 1981 Question 46

Question 46

Simple Harmonic Motion

The relationship between the period T and the length l of a simple pendulum is T = 2π(l/g)1/2. From experimental data of T and l, one can obtain the following graphs. (i) T vs. l (ii) T vs. l2 (iii) T2 vs. l (iv) T vs. √l (v) log T vs. log l. Which of the graphs are linear?

  1. A.All
  2. B.Only (i) and (ii)
  3. C.Only (iii) and (iv)
  4. D.(iii), (iv) and (v)
  5. E.None of them.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D ((iii), (iv) and (v))

Explanation

T ∝ √l, so T against √l and T² against l are straight lines, and log T = ½ log l + constant is also a straight line.