Period and Frequency of a Pendulum - Questions
The Period and Frequency of a Pendulum Concept Builder is comprised of 60 questions. The questions are divided into 15 different Question Groups. Questions in the same group are rather similar to one another. The Concept Builder is coded to select at random a question from each group until a student is successful with that group of questions.
There are three different activities that can be engaged in through the Concept Builder. Those three activities are differentiated as follows:
- Basic Concepts: Question Groups 1 - 6 ... Identify the definition, unit, mathematical meaning, and variables affecting the frequency and period of a pendulum
- Ranking Tasks: Question Groups 7-9 ... Given values of length, mass, and angle for three trials, rank the trials in order of their frequency or their period.
- Proportional Reasoning: Question Groups 10-15 ... Use proportional reasoning skills to predict the quantitative effect of changes in length (and mass) upon the frequency and period of a pendulum.
The questions from each group are shown below. Teachers are encouraged to view the questions in order to judge which activities are most appropriate for their classes. We recommend providing students two or more options.
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Period and Frequency of a Pendulum
Activity 1 Frequency and Period Concepts
Question Group 1
Question 1
A pendulum’s frequency describes _____
a. how often it vibrates back and forth.
b. how fast it moves from one extreme to the other
c. how far it moves from its resting position to an extreme position
And a pendulum’s period describes _____.
a. how many times it vibrates back and forth
b. how much time it takes to complete one vibration
c. how much distance it travels during one vibration
Question 2
A pendulum’s frequency describes _____
a. how far it moves from its resting position to an extreme position
b. how often it vibrates back and forth.
c. how fast it moves from one extreme to the other
And a pendulum’s period describes _____.
a. how much distance it travels during one vibration
b. how many times it vibrates back and forth
c. how much time it takes to complete one vibration
Question 3
A pendulum’s period describes _____.
a. how many times it vibrates back and forth
b. how much time it takes to complete one vibration
c. how much distance it travels during one vibration
And a pendulum’s frequency describes _____
a. how often it vibrates back and forth.
b. how fast it moves from one extreme to the other
c. how far it moves from its resting position to an extreme position
Question 4
A pendulum’s period describes _____.
a. how much time it takes to complete one vibration
b. how much distance it travels during one vibration
c. how many times it vibrates back and forth
And a pendulum’s frequency describes _____
a. how fast it moves from one extreme to the other
b. how far it moves from its resting position to an extreme position
c. how often it vibrates back and forth.
Question Group 2
Question 5
The unit of frequency is _____.
a. meter per second
b. cycles per second
c. joule per second
And the unit of period is _____.
a. meter
b. second
c. oscillations
Question 6
The unit of frequency is _____.
a. joule per second
b. meter per second
c. cycles per second
And the unit of period is _____.
a. second
b. oscillations
c. meter
Question 7
The unit of period is _____.
a. oscillations
b. meter
c. second
And the unit of frequency is _____.
a. joule per second
b. meter per second
c. cycles per second
Question 8
The unit of period is _____.
a. second
b. oscillations
c. meter
And the unit of frequency is _____.
a. joule per second
b. meter per second
c. cycles per second
Question Group 3
Question 9
A pendulum makes 20 complete vibrational cycles in 40 seconds. This means that _____.
a. the frequency is 2.0 Hertz and the period is 20 seconds
b. the frequency is 0.5 Hertz and the period is 2.0 seconds
c. the frequency is 20 seconds and the period is 2.0 Hertz
d. the frequency is 2.0 seconds and the period is 0.5 Hertz
Question 10
A pendulum makes 40 complete vibrational cycles in 20 seconds. This means that _____.
a. the frequency is 2.0 Hertz and the period is 40 seconds
b. the frequency is 2.0 Hertz and the period is 0.5 seconds
c. the frequency is 40 seconds and the period is 0.5 Hertz
d. the frequency is 2.0 seconds and the period is 0.5 Hertz
Question 11
A pendulum makes 20 complete vibrational cycles in 40 seconds. This means that _____.
a. the period is 2.0 Hertz and the frequency is 20 seconds
b. the period is 0.5 Hertz and the frequency is 2.0 seconds
c. the period is 20 seconds the and frequency is 2.0 Hertz
d. the period is 2.0 seconds and the frequency is 0.5 Hertz
Question 12
A pendulum makes 40 complete vibrational cycles in 20 seconds. This means that _____.
a. the period is 0.5 Hertz and the frequency is 40 seconds
b. the period is 0.5 Hertz and the frequency is 2.0 seconds
c. the period is 40 seconds and the frequency is 2.0 Hertz
d. the period is 0.5 seconds and the frequency is 2.0 Hertz
Question Group 4
Question 13
The period of a pendulum’s vibrations depends mostly upon _____. Choose one.
a. the mass of the bob
b. the width of the string from which it is suspended
c. the length of the string from which it is supspended
d. the amplitude of motion with which it swings
Question 14
The period of a pendulum’s vibrations depends mostly upon _____. Choose one.
a. the amplitude of motion with which it swings
b. the mass of the bob
c. the width of the string from which it is suspended
d. the length of the string from which it is supspended
Question 15
The period of a pendulum’s vibrations depends mostly upon _____. Choose one.
a. the length of the string from which it is supspended
b. the amplitude of motion with which it swings
c. the mass of the bob
d. the width of the string from which it is suspended
Question 16
The period of a pendulum’s vibrations depends mostly upon _____. Choose one.
a. the width of the string from which it is suspended
b. the length of the string from which it is supspended
c. the amplitude of motion with which it swings
d. the mass of the bob
Question Group 5
Question 17
As the frequency of a pendulum’s vibrations increases, …
a. the period of vibration also increases.
b. the period of vibration decreases.
c. the period of vibration is unaffected.
d. the period of vibration increases at first; then it decreases.
Question 18
As the frequency of a pendulum’s vibrations increases, …
a. the period of vibration increases at first; then it decreases.
b. the period of vibration also increases.
c. the period of vibration decreases.
d. the period of vibration is unaffected.
Question 19
As the frequency of a pendulum’s vibrations increases, …
a. the period of vibration is unaffected.
b. the period of vibration increases at first; then it decreases.
c. the period of vibration also increases.
d. the period of vibration decreases.
Question 20
As the frequency of a pendulum’s vibrations increases, …
a. the period of vibration decreases.
b. the period of vibration also increases.
c. the period of vibration increases at first; then it decreases.
d. the period of vibration is unaffected.
Question Group 6
Question 21
Which one change is certain to increase the period of a pendulum’s vibrations?
a. Decrease the mass of the pendulum bob.
b. Increase the angle theta through which it swings.
c. Increase the length of the string upon which the bob is suspended.
d. Use a heavier string to suspend the pendulum bob on.
Question 22
Which one change is certain to increase the period of a pendulum’s vibrations?
a. Increase the angle theta through which it swings.
b. Increase the length of the string upon which the bob is suspended.
c. Use a heavier string to suspend the pendulum bob on.
d. Decrease the mass of the pendulum bob.
Question 23
Which one change is certain to decrease the period of a pendulum’s vibrations?
a. Increase the mass of the pendulum bob.
b. Decrease the angle theta through which it swings.
c. Decrease the length of the string upon which the bob is suspended.
d. Use a lighter string to suspend the pendulum bob on.
Question 24
Which one change is certain to decrease the period of a pendulum’s vibrations?
a. Decrease the angle theta through which it swings.
b. Decrease the length of the string upon which the bob is suspended.
c. Use a lighter string to suspend the pendulum bob on.
d. Increase the mass of the pendulum bob.
Activity 2 Frequency and Period Ranking Tasks
Question Group 7
Question 25
Anna Litical is studying the effect of string length (L), bob mass (m), and swing angle (θ) upon the period of a pendulum. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question 26
Anna Litical is studying the effect of string length (L), bob mass (m), and swing angle (θ) upon the period of a pendulum. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question 27
Anna Litical is studying the effect of string length (L), bob mass (m), and swing angle (θ) upon the period of a pendulum. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question 28
Anna Litical is studying the effect of string length (L), bob mass (m), and swing angle (θ) upon the period of a pendulum. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question Group 8
Question 29
Anna Litical is studying the effect of string length (L), bob mass (m), and swing angle (θ) upon the period of a pendulum. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question 30
Anna Litical is studying the effect of string length (L), bob mass (m), and swing angle (θ) upon the period of a pendulum. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question 31
Anna Litical is studying the effect of string length (L), bob mass (m), and swing angle (θ) upon the period of a pendulum. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question 32
Anna Litical is studying the effect of string length (L), bob mass (m), and swing angle (θ) upon the period of a pendulum. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their period (T).
Question Group 9
Question 33
Anna Litical is studying the effect of string length (L), bob mass (m), and swing angle (θ) upon the frequency of a pendulum's vibrations. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their frequency (f).
Question 34
Anna Litical is studying the effect of string length (L), bob mass (m), and swing angle (θ) upon the frequency of a pendulum's vibrations. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their frequency (f).
Question 35
Anna Litical is studying the effect of string length (L), bob mass (m), and swing angle (θ) upon the frequency of a pendulum's vibrations. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their frequency (f).
Question 36
Anna Litical is studying the effect of string length (L), bob mass (m), and swing angle (θ) upon the frequency of a pendulum's vibrations. The parameter values used for three trials are shown. Rank the three trials in order of their frequency (f).
Activity 3 Proportional Reasoning
Question Group 10
Question 37
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a pendulum. If Noah
increases the length of the string by a factor of two, then he can expect the
period of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. increase by a factor of 4.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of 2.
e. decrease by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
g. not be affected by the length change.
Question 38
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a pendulum. If Noah
increases the length of the string by a factor of two, then he can expect the
period of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. decrease by a factor of 2.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
e. increase by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of 4.
g. not be affected by the length change.
Question 39
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a pendulum. If Noah
decreases the length of the string by a factor of two, then he can expect the
period of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. increase by a factor of 4.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of 2.
e. decrease by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
g. not be affected by the length change.
Question 40
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a pendulum. If Noah
decreases the length of the string by a factor of two, then he can expect the
period of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. decrease by a factor of 2.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
e. increase by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of 4.
g. not be affected by the length change.
Question Group 11
Question 41
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a pendulum. If Noah
increases the length of the string by a factor of three, then he can expect the
period of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. increase by a factor of 9.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of 3.
e. decrease by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
g. not be affected by the length change.
Question 42
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a pendulum. If Noah
increases the length of the string by a factor of three, then he can expect the
period of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. decrease by a factor of 3.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
e. increase by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of 9.
g. not be affected by the length change.
Question 43
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a pendulum. If Noah
decreases the length of the string by a factor of three, then he can expect the
period of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. increase by a factor of 9.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of 3.
e. decrease by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
g. not be affected by the length change.
Question 44
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a pendulum. If Noah
decreases the length of the string by a factor of three, then he can expect the
period of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. decrease by a factor of 3.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
e. increase by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of 9.
g. not be affected by the length change.
Question Group 12
Question 45
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
frequency of a pendulum. If Noah
increases the length of the string by a factor of two, then he can expect the
frequency of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. increase by a factor of 4.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of 2.
e. decrease by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
g. not be affected by the length change.
Question 46
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
frequency of a pendulum. If Noah
increases the length of the string by a factor of two, then he can expect the
frequency of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. decrease by a factor of 2.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
e. increase by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of 4.
g. not be affected by the length change.
Question 47
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
frequency of a pendulum. If Noah
decreases the length of the string by a factor of two, then he can expect the
frequency of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. increase by a factor of 4.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of 2.
e. decrease by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
g. not be affected by the length change.
Question 48
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
frequency of a pendulum. If Noah
decreases the length of the string by a factor of two, then he can expect the
frequency of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. decrease by a factor of 2.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
e. increase by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of 4.
g. not be affected by the length change.
Question Group 13
Question 49
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
frequency of a pendulum. If Noah
increases the length of the string by a factor of three, then he can expect the
frequency of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. increase by a factor of 9.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of 3.
e. decrease by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
g. not be affected by the length change.
Question 50
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
frequency of a pendulum. If Noah
increases the length of the string by a factor of three, then he can expect the
frequency of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. decrease by a factor of 3.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
e. increase by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of 9.
g. not be affected by the length change.
Question 51
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
frequency of a pendulum. If Noah
decreases the length of the string by a factor of three, then he can expect the
frequency of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. increase by a factor of 9.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of 3.
e. decrease by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
g. not be affected by the length change.
Question 52
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
frequency of a pendulum. If Noah
decreases the length of the string by a factor of three, then he can expect the
frequency of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. decrease by a factor of 3.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
e. increase by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of 9.
g. not be affected by the length change.
Question Group 14
Question 53
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a pendulum. If Noah
increases the mass of the string by a factor of two, then he can expect the
period of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. increase by a factor of 4.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of 2.
e. decrease by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question 54
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a pendulum. If Noah
increases the mass of the string by a factor of two, then he can expect the
period of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. decrease by a factor of 2.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
e. increase by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of 4.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question 55
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a pendulum. If Noah
decreases the mass of the string by a factor of two, then he can expect the
period of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. increase by a factor of 4.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of 2.
e. decrease by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question 56
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a pendulum. If Noah
decreases the mass of the string by a factor of two, then he can expect the
period of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 2.
b. decrease by a factor of 2.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 2.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 2.
e. increase by a factor of 4.
f. decrease by a factor of 4.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question Group 15
Question 57
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a pendulum. If Noah
increases the mass of the string by a factor of three, then he can expect the
period of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. increase by a factor of 9.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of 3.
e. decrease by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question 58
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a pendulum. If Noah
increases the mass of the string by a factor of three, then he can expect the
period of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. decrease by a factor of 3.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
e. increase by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of 9.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question 59
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a pendulum. If Noah
decreases the mass of the string by a factor of three, then he can expect the
period of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. increase by a factor of 9.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of 3.
e. decrease by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
g. not be affected by the mass change.
Question 60
Noah Formula is conducting an experimental study of the
period of a pendulum. If Noah
decreases the mass of the string by a factor of three, then he can expect the
period of the pendulum to …
a. increase by a factor of 3.
b. decrease by a factor of 3.
c. increase by a factor of the square root of 3.
d. decrease by a factor of the square root of 3.
e. increase by a factor of 9.
f. decrease by a factor of 9.
g. not be affected by the mass change.