Name: Daniel E.
Status: student
Age: 17
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2000-2001
Question:
A screw is put into the top of a coconut and a long
string is tied to the coconut and the apparutus is suspended to from a
simple pendulum. Now suppose you punch a hole into the bottom of the
coconut and the system is made to oscillate. What would the effect be on
the period of the pendulum? Why?
Replies:
As the coconut milk drains, it will change the center of mass first down,
and then back up to the starting point (approximately). This changes the
effective length of the pendulum, and hence, the period.
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