What is the primary reason a simple pendulum’s period increases at higher altitudes?
**Pendulum motion** exhibits isochronism for small amplitudes, period depends only on L and g. Using g = 9.8 m/s², T calculation requires √(L/g), frequency reciprocal of period. Angular frequency directly √(g/L), e.g., L = 0.25 m gives T ≈ 1.0 s. The period T = 2π √((L/g)) increases as g (acceleration due to gravity) decreases with altitude, inversely affecting the period. Applying x = A cos(ωt + φ), v = -ωA sin(ωt + φ), a = -ω²x and E = ½kA² = ½mω²A², result The acceleration due to gravity decreases follows, reflecting SHM dependence on amplitude A, ω and system parameters.
Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Oscillations > Simple Pendulum and Angular SHM
