A vertical spring system with a bob having mass M is set into motion with amplitude A. When the bob is pulled instead to move with amplitude 2A, the following can be concluded:
A) The period is half as large as before
B) The period is unaffected
C) The period is twice as large as before
D) The period is about 0.7 times as large as before
E) The period is about 1.4 times as large as before

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The period of a mass-spring system is independent of the amplitude. It is determined by the mass of the bob and the spring constant, according to the formula $T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{M}{k}}$, where $T$ is the period, $M$ is the mass, and $k$ is the spring constant.

A Vertical Spring System with a Bob Having Mass M