Question

How does weight affect a pendulum?

Answer 1

It is because a larger pendulum mass requires a greater force to move (or accelerate) it. The amount of force is proportional to the mass. In other words, if the mass is twice a big, it requires twice the force to accelerate it at a given rate... but the force is just that... twice as great. (Gravity pulls harder on a larger mass.)

It will always move from the top of the swing to the low point in the same time.

Answer 2

it is considered basic science on how the pendulum has different effects depending on the weight

Answer 3

From wikipedia
The period of swing of a simple gravity pendulum depends on its length, the local strength of gravity, and to a small extent on the maximum angle that the pendulum swings away from vertical, θ0, called the amplitude.[8] It is independent of the mass of the bob.

Answer 4

affects it period

Answer 5

\[T=2\pi\sqrt{l/g}\]
as you can see, we can take the pendulum to unknown planet and measure its gravity using pendulum by looking at the period

Answer 6

In this video, beginning at 41:00, there is a fantastic demonstration that the period of a pendulum is independent of the mass:
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-01-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-1999/video-lectures/lecture-10/

Answer 7

thank you!

Answer 8

(40:40 to be a little more precise :-) )
This demonstration is a classic in physics. This guy is awesome.