Simple pendulum and its time period

Simple harmonic motion · Physics

Simple pendulum

Interactive 3D

Release the bob and watch true small-angle SHM. The period depends only on the string length.

Controls

Drag the sliders or type a value — the simulation updates live.

String lengthm

0.3m2m

Release angle°

5°45°

Study notes

A simple pendulum has length 0.994 m. Find its time period on Earth (g = 9.8 m/s²) and on the Moon (g = 1.62 m/s²). Step 1: T = 2π√(L/g). On Earth: T = 2π√(0.994/9.8) = 2π√(0.10143) = 2π × 0.3185 ≈ 2.001 s. Step 2: On the Moon: T = 2π√(0.994/1.62) = 2π√(0.6136) = 2π × 0.7833 ≈ 4.92 s. Answer: ≈ 2.0 s on Earth (a "seconds pendulum"), ≈ 4.9 s on the Moon. Same pendulum, slower rhythm — gravity alone sets the tempo.