A pendulum is a simple mechanical device that consists of a mass, or bob, suspended from a fixed point by a rod or cord. When the mass is displaced from its resting position and released, it will swing back and forth under the influence of gravity, following a predictable path known as a simple harmonic motion. The period of a pendulum, or the time it takes for the mass to complete one full swing, is determined by a variety of factors, including the length of the rod or cord and the strength of gravity. However, one factor that does not affect the period of a pendulum is the mass of the bob.

This may seem counterintuitive, as one might expect that a heavier mass would take longer to swing back and forth due to its greater inertia. However, the period of a pendulum is actually determined by the combination of the length of the rod or cord and the strength of gravity. When the mass of the bob is increased, the increased inertia does cause the pendulum to swing more slowly, but this effect is compensated for by the increased gravitational force acting on the mass. As a result, the period of the pendulum remains unchanged.

This can be demonstrated through a simple experiment. If two pendulums are set up with the same length of rod or cord, but one has a heavier mass than the other, the periods of the two pendulums will be the same. This is because the increased mass of the heavier pendulum is offset by the increased gravitational force acting on it, resulting in the same period as the lighter pendulum.

In summary, the period of a pendulum is determined by the combination of the length of the rod or cord and the strength of gravity, and is not affected by the mass of the bob. This phenomenon can be demonstrated through simple experimentation and is a result of the interplay between the pendulum’s inertia and the gravitational force acting on it.