How to Decrease the Period of a Pendulum

Decrease Pendulum Length

• 1

  Look at the equation relating the period to the length of the pendulum string. Notice that these two factors are directly proportional to each other.

• 2

  Shorten the length of the string or material from which the object dangles and swings. Keep the object, pivotal point and medium the same as they were before attempting to shorten the period.

• 3

  Test the pendulum with a shortened string length. The period should be shorter than before.

Increase the Frequency

• 4

  Recall the equation: T = 1/f. Mathematically, this proves that a higher frequency causes a shorter period.

• 5

  Push the object from its maximum amplitude with additional force in order to raise the frequency of the swinging pendulum.

• 6

  Note that accelerating the object may result in an amplitude that differs from the initial circumstance, but that amplitude has no effect on the period of a pendulum.

• 7

  Time the period to see that this method was effective, provided no factor other than the frequency was altered.