Physics
Physics
Problem
24. A mass suspended by a spring with force constant has a period when set into oscillation on Earth. Its period on Mars, whose mass is about and radius that of Earth, is most nearly (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)Intuitive explanation
The period of a mass on a spring depends only on the mass and spring constant, not on gravity—so the period itself doesn't change between planets. The key is recognizing that affects the equilibrium position (how much the spring stretches), but the oscillation frequency around that equilibrium is determined entirely by . Once you see that gravity cancels out of the period formula, the answer becomes clear.
Intuitive explanation
The period of a mass on a spring depends only on the mass and spring constant, not on gravity—so the period itself doesn't change between planets. The key is recognizing that affects the equilibrium position (how much the spring stretches), but the oscillation frequency around that equilibrium is determined entirely by . Once you see that gravity cancels out of the period formula, the answer becomes clear.