The weight of a pendulum does not affect its period. The period of a pendulum is determined by its length and the acceleration due to gravity, but not by its mass or weight. The period of a simple pendulum, which is a mass (bob) attached to a string or rod of negligible mass, can be calculated using the formula:
T = 2π√(L/g)
Where: T is the period of the pendulum, L is the length of the pendulum, g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s² on Earth).
As you can see, the weight of the bob does not appear in the equation. Therefore, changing the weight of the pendulum bob will not alter its period.
However, the weight of the pendulum bob can have a slight effect on the amplitude of the swing. The amplitude is the maximum displacement of the pendulum from its equilibrium position. In a real-world scenario, air resistance and other factors can come into play. Heavier pendulum bobs can experience slightly more air resistance, which may cause a slightly reduced amplitude over time due to the dissipation of energy. However, this effect is usually small and negligible for most practical purposes.
In summary, the weight of a pendulum does not affect its period but may have a minor influence on the amplitude due to factors such as air resistance.