Question #1356
A visitor to a lighthouse wishes to determine
the height of the tower. She ties a spool
of thread to a small rock to make a simple
pendulum, which she hangs down the center
of a spiral staircase of the tower. The period
of oscillation is 10.8 s.
The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s2 .
What is the height of the tower?
Answer in units of m.
the height of the tower. She ties a spool
of thread to a small rock to make a simple
pendulum, which she hangs down the center
of a spiral staircase of the tower. The period
of oscillation is 10.8 s.
The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s2 .
What is the height of the tower?
Answer in units of m.
Expert's answer
The formula for the period of oscillations can be written as
T = 2 π √(L/g)
L = gT2/4 π2
L = 9.8*10.82 / 4π2 = 28.95 m.
T = 2 π √(L/g)
L = gT2/4 π2
L = 9.8*10.82 / 4π2 = 28.95 m.
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Comments
Dear D, this "center" means the space between the spiral stairs of the tower. So, you don't need to multiply the answer by two.
I thought since it says “center” maybe we should multiply the final answer by two, since center is half way through and they want the full height. Thanks!