Answer to Question #147573 in Electricity and Magnetism for Arisha khan

Question

Suppose the inertial observer wants to measurre the acceleration of the train by means of tge pendulum .how vould she do that?

Answer 1

The angle θ the cord makes with the vertical should increase as the acceleration increases.

For inertial observer, apply the particle under a net force and particle in equilibrium models:

ΣF_x = Tsinθ = ma

ΣF_y = Tcosθ – mg = 0

By solving equations simultaneously for a, we find that a = gtanθ. Therefore, the inertial observer can determine the magnitude of the train’s acceleration by measuring the angle θ and using that relationship. Because the deflection of the cord from the vertical serves as a measure of acceleration, a simple pendulum can be used as an accelerometer.